Restaurant Owner Who Went Viral For Son’s Dubai-Themed Prom Charged With Social Security Fraud

A restaurant owner in North Philadelphia has been charged with defrauding the Social Security Administration.

Last year, Saudia Shuler became virally famous after she cashed out $25,000 on her son’s Dubai-themed prom that included a camel and other extravagant elements. But some of those funds didn’t come from her own hard work; she had the government spot her $37,000 from disability benefits. Shuler lied to the government claiming she was disabled but still continued to work, 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.”

In 2017, Shuler did a lot of spending. When it came to her son’s prom night, she made sure to do it with a bang. Some of the items she purchased with the $25,000 included a camel, three tons of sand and exotic cars for a massive event in her neighborhood celebrating her son’s prom. Later in the year, she splurged on hundreds of gifts and two reindeer to celebrate the Christmas holiday with her neighborhood. Shuler says she wanted to do something good for others after suffering from disheartening moments in her life. “I had a stroke. I had seizures. I had cancer,” she said. “All within the last three years,” said Shuler.

Now the 44-year-old woman has been indicted for allegedly collecting $37,000 in government benefits. If Shuler is found guilty, she could face up to 140 years in prison – which is the maximum sentence.