King 5 Seattle is reporting that government inspectors knew that a Seattle resident was receiving housing assistance while residing in a $1.2 million waterfront home.
Inspectors visited the home at least nine times since Lyudmila Shimonova moved in — yet none of the officials reported the possibility of fraud. Altogether, Shimonova received $135,000 in housing assistance.
Documents reviewed by KING 5 show that Lyudmila was truthful about her waterfront address, which federal court records show she has lived at since 2003. And inspectors noted the home's features. According to a February 2009 inspection report, the inspector noted the house is above average, has a deck, high-end appliances, a Jacuzzi tub and a view.
… The home is actually owned by Seattle doctor David Silverstein, whom Shimonova identified as her landlord when she filed for housing and cash assistance and food stamps. Government investigators believe Silverstein and Shimonova are actually married and that they live together in the lakeside house.
Neither has been charged.
We hope investigators sort out the facts of this case soon. The nation's poverty rate is at its highest level in recent memory, and there are people who are truly in need of government assistance.
Read more at King 5 Seattle.
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