Prosecutors say a woman bilked the Philadelphia school district out of tens of thousands of dollars by posing as a tutor for a relative with special needs.
Federal prosecutors announced fraud charges against Patricia Cleary on Monday. They say she received nearly $60,000 from the district for tutoring services that were never provided and tried to get $30,000 more.
"The defendant allegedly stole a victim’s identity and used it to defraud the Philadelphia School District by claiming that she was tutoring her special needs relative," United States Attorney Louis Lappen said.
Investigators say she used her maiden name, Patricia Goldstein, as the name of the fictitious tutor and submitted falsified teaching credentials and a fake tax form.
Prosecutors say she threatened to sue the district when officials halted payment and tried to verify the credentials.
"Stealing money from a cash-strapped school district, money meant to help people with special needs, is outrageous," FBI Special Agent in Charge Harpster said. "As alleged in the indictment, Cleary exploited a vulnerable family member to enrich herself - and when the school district grew suspicious and stopped sending checks, she brashly doubled down and threatened suit."
She has pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail.
