Waterfront welfare couple pleads guilty to stealing government funds

A couple who lived a lavish life on Lake Washington has
pleaded guilty to theft of government funds for accepting
federal rent assistance.

David Silverstein, 60, and Lyudmila Shimonova, 53, have
agreed to repay more than $260,000 in restitution plus an
additional civil penalty of more than $216,000. The couple
will also face jail time when sentenced in September.

Silverstein and Shimonova, who are a long-time couple but
were never married, lived in a $1.2 million waterfront
mansion, traveled the world, and bought expensive cars and
jewelry, according to U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan.

“They stole resources that should have gone to the truly
needy, illegally taking the place of others in a housing
program with a long waiting list,” Durkan said in a
statement. “This conduct hurts people who need assistance
and weakens public support for a vital safety net.”

According to prosecutors, Shimonova falsely claimed that
Silverstein was her landlord in order to accept rent
assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban
Development for her and her two children to live at his
waterfront property. Silverstein worked as a chiropractor.

Shimonova also lied about her financial circumstances in
order to qualify for food and medical benefits from the
Department of Social and Health Services, as well as
Social Security Disability payments.