Chicago mother, daughters defraud program that helps people with disabilities
CHICAGO — A Chicago mother and her daughter pleaded guilty to orchestrating a scheme to defraud a program designed to help people with disabilities.
Deborah Sery, 78, and Danielle Sery, 29, were ordered to pay $20,000 each in restitution and received four years of probation.
Another sister Gila Sery, 51 at the time, also received four years of probation in 2022 for her role in the scheme. She was ordered to pay back $38,000.
The family was accused of submitting false time sheets to the Illinois Department of Human Services under the Home Services Program. That program provides services to individuals with severe disabilities, which allows them to remain at home with a caregiver.
During the scheme, Gila lived out of state and would return for annual re-assessments. Deborah and Danielle claimed they took care of Gila and submitted time sheets that were fraud.
The family received a total of around $115,000.
“Illinois’ Home Services Program provides essential services to thousands of Illinoisans with disabilities,” Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. “It is unconscionable that someone would exploit this vital program for their own financial gain. I will continue to partner with the Illinois State Police and state government partners to identify fraud and hold those accountable who steal from taxpayers and our most vulnerable residents.”
The case was investigated by the Illinois State Police.
Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has decided to drastically cut a similar program due to an unforeseen $1 billion budget gap.
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