A Philadelphia mom went viral after dropping $25,000 on a uber lavish Dubai-themed prom party (with REAL camels) for her son. Now, she's being brought up on social security fraud. Details inside...
When going viral goes totally wrong!
A North Philadelphia mother/restaurateur went viral last year when flicks and videos of her son's uber lavish Dubai-themed prom went viral. And with good reason. It was super extra and over the top. Like, a whole desert like situation was concocted and ish.
Saudia Shuler, 44, went all out for her son, spending $25,000 on a live camel, three tons of sand and exotic cars for a huge event in her neighborhood as she sent her son off to prom last spring. Here are a few flicks she posted on her Instagram account:
Did she pay for these dresses too though?
Now, she has been charged with social security fraud and, if she's found guilty, she's facing a maximum of 140 years in prison! She's facing six counts of wire fraud, one count of theft of government funds and two counts of Social Security fraud.
According to NBC Philadelphia, Saudia - who owns & operates "Country Cookin" restaurant - was indicted for allegedly collecting nearly $37,000 in government benefits by claiming she was disabled yet continuing to work, this according to the U.S. attorney for Eastern Pennsylvania.
"The defendant applied for benefits from the Social Security Administration, claiming she was disabled and unable to work. After Social Security approved benefits, the defendant continued working, including the operation of her own restaurant," a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office said in an email Tuesday. "This work and income was never reported to Social Security, in violation of program rules."
After the "Dubai to Philly" party went viral, Saudia told The New York Post she wanted to celebrate her son - Johnny Eden Jr. - who helped her through her illnesses.
“I had a stroke. I had seizures. I had cancer,” she said. “All within the last three years. He struggled a lot when I was sick. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t go to the bathroom on my own. He had to go through all that and still go to school. And I said, "If I make it through this, I’m going to make his prom the best."'
After throwing her son's prom party, she also threw an extravagant Christmas party to give back to the underprivledged kids in the community.
“We gave them 140 bikes,” she told NBC Philadelphia. “We gave out over 50 scooters. We gave out 'Batman' cars, like the remote-controlled cars you put your feet on and then drive.”
She also threw a massive Black Panther-themed prom party for 24 students in Philly this past prom season:
Saudia claims she had received donations from all over the country to help pay for the massive events.
Her attorney, Tariq El-Shabazz, said he doesn't see where she broke any laws. "I didn't see the meat yet, I've just seen the bones." He added that Shuler is "still waiting to see what evidence the U.S. attorney's office will present. She is obviously upset because there are allegations contained in the indictment that are absolutely untrue," El-Shabazz said.
Oh.
Today, she was welcomed home by her family and friends and her restuarant will open back up tomorrow:
Whew chile, the foolery!
Photos: Saudia's IG
