Plea Requires Pair to Pay $40,000 in Restitution
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a mother and daughter pleaded guilty and were sentenced for their role in defrauding a state program that assists individuals with severe disabilities.
Raoul’s office prosecuted Deborah Sery, 78, and her daughter, Danielle Sery, 29, who both pleaded guilty to one count of vendor fraud, a Class 1 felony. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Pamela J. Stratigakis ordered the defendants to pay $20,000 each in restitution to the state and sentenced both defendants to four years of probation. Judge Stratigakis also sentenced Danielle Sery to perform 50 hours of community service.
“Illinois’ Home Services Program provides essential services to thousands of Illinoisans with disabilities,” Raoul said. “It is unconscionable that someone would exploit this vital program for their own financial gain. I will continue to partner with the Illinois State Police and state government partners to identify fraud and hold those accountable who steal from taxpayers and our most vulnerable residents.”
According to Raoul, Deborah and Danielle Sery – along with Danielle’s sister Gila Sery – submitted false time sheets to the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) for services provided under the Home Services Program. The program provides services to individuals with severe disabilities, allowing them to remain in their homes and live as independently as possible. Under their scheme, Deborah and Danielle Sery submitted fraudulent time sheets to the IDHS claiming they provided services to Gila Sery, who received services through the program. At the time of the scheme, Gila Sery allegedly lived out of state, returning to Illinois for annual re-assessments to fraudulently continue qualifying for the program. In total, the three defendants received a total of approximately $115,000 from the state for services that were not provided.
Gila Sery pleaded guilty in August of 2022 and was ordered to pay $38,000 in restitution to the state and serve four years of probation.
The case was investigated by the Illinois State Police.
Assistant Attorney General John R. Fearon prosecuted the case for Raoul’s Medicaid Fraud Bureau.
