Senator Casey Plans On Introducing Bill In Aftermath Of 'Basement Of Horror'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The "Basement of Horrors" case, which unfolded in Philadelphia in October, has prompted U.S. Senator Bob Casey to introduce a bill to prevent any similar cases in the future. The senator says loopholes in the Social Security system allowed the tragedy to occur.
Linda Weston was arrested after police found handicapped adults and undernourished children in at least two locations in Philadelphia. She also had 50 Social Security cards for those victims even though she had previously been charged with murder.
Senator Casey says the Social Security system needs to be updated to prevent people like Weston from becoming "representative payees."
"If someone is a representative payee, you're supposed to help somebody. They're not allowed to do that if they have a conviction of one kind or another, especially a homicide conviction as was the case here," Casey said.
Casey wants the SSA to have access to the National Crime Information Center and increase the number of fraud investigators to check every social security applicant. He plans to introduce the legislation before the year is out.
Reported by Kim Glovas, KYW Newsradio 1060
