Mother indicted for social security fraud after pretending to be disabled

Saudia Schuler, known for throwing lavish prom parties, is facing several charges in connection with alleged social security fraud.

As reported by ABC 6, the mother from North Philadelphia has been accused of being involved in social security fraud over the last four years.

"There's evidence she defrauded the government and no matter who you are the government brings charges," said Deputy Chief of Health Care Fraud Beath Leahy.

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Schuler claimed she was disabled and unable to work back in 2014. But she continued to operate her restaurant after Social Security approved the benefits.

She is known for her restaurant, Saudia Shuler's Country Cookin' on North 22nd Street.

Leahy said: "When asked about the quality of life, she said that she couldn't, rarely cook any meals and that her cousin cooked for her. In reality, Ms. Shuler was running a food take-out business for Country Cookin."

THROWING BLOCKBUSTER-THEMED PARTIES

Schular got media attention after throwing a "Black Panther" themed prom party.

Two years ago, she spent $25,000 on her son's prom. In the last prom season, Schular donated thousands of her own dollars to send 24 students to prom.

Schular is now facing nine charges, including two counts of social security fraud, brought by the federal government.

Prosecutors with the US Attorney's Office said that Schuler owes the government more than $36,000.

But she denied all the accusations. Her lawyer, Tariq El-Shabazz, said: "Ms. Schuler suffered from a stroke and a result of that she was in rehab she was unable to do anything for two-plus years around the same time she was allegedly perpetrating this particular fraud."

He added that his client has done nothing but serve her community.

"If someone is allegedly participating in and receiving social security benefits, disability benefits indicating they can't work, I don't know if they would have a store in their name," he said.