Philadelphia Couple Charged After Allegedly Falsifying Address, Not Paying Local School Taxes
LOWER MORELAND TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) - A Philadelphia couple is facing charges for obtaining education services in Lower Moreland Township without paying the local school taxes, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.
Authorities say Hamlet and Olesia Garcia fraudulently reported that they lived at the Huntingdon Valley home of Olesia's father in order to send their child to school in Lower Moreland.
The investigation began in March, when the Lower Moreland School District was alerted that one of their enrolled students actually lived in Philadelphia.
Although school records indicated that the student and the Garcia's lived together in Huntingdon Valley, surveillance performed by the School District revealed the student never left the Huntingdon Valley home in the morning to attend school.
Additionally, the vehicle Hamlet Garcia used to drive the student to school was seen earlier in the morning at the Garcia's home on Philmont Terrace in Philadelphia, authorities said.
At a meeting with the School District on April 16th, Olesia Garcia's father reportedly provided a signed and notarized document marked "Application for Multiple Occupancy Registration" which stated that Olesia and her child resided with him in Huntingdon Valley.
Further investigation by the Lower Moreland Police Department revealed the Garcia's lived in their Philadelphia home since 2004, and at no time did the parents or their child live in Lower Moreland.
Authorities say Olesia's father later admitted to police that she and her child would only stay at his house "sometimes" despite his earlier representations.
According to the District Attorney's office, the Garcia's fraudulent conduct resulted in a financial loss to the Lower Moreland School District in the amount of $10,752.81 for the year.
Hamlet and Olesia Garcia are charged with Theft of Services and Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Services.
The Preliminary Hearings for Hamlet GARCIA and Olesia GARCIA are scheduled for September 6.
