a criminal in your family, what to do?

Question

My older sister used to receive welfare checks for her bastard children and she also received a welfare check for rent. My mom bought a house and they both filled out the paperwork to state that my sis paid mom for rent. My mom cashed the check and gave my sister the money Having been a welfare worker, I knew that this was the felony crime of welfare fraud. I turned them in, but I never heard of the outcome, due to privacy issues. They defrauded you and I (read tax payers) to the tune of over $15,000 If they had robbed a bank, I would turn them in. What do you think and would you do the same thing, or would you be an accessory after the fact and hide their crime?

I did NOT state that they do not talk to me, it is , IN FACT the other way around, I do not have any dealing with THEM! What I did satate is that I never received notification of the outcome (from the state)
I was living in another state and working for welfare there and BOTH my mom and sis told me of their crimes of conspiracy and fraud.

SORRY ABOUT THE MISUNDERSTAND THAT MANY OF YOU ARE HAVING WITH THE TERM BASTARD. i AM USING THE TECHNICAL TERM FOR CHILDREN BORN OUT OF WEDLACK, NOT THE SLANG MEANING OF THE TERM.
I love my neices and nephews and I do NOT blame them for either their existence or the criminal actions of their mother.

Answer 1

just because it is my family i would "close my eyes" on this crime and ignore it... try not to get involved.
but... to each their own.

Answer 2

I think that principles have to come before family sometimes, so I think you did what you had to do. I'm actually facing that with my family at the moment....it's not a criminal matter, per say, but it is highly immoral and wrong and I feel I have to stand up for what is right and stick to my principles. It's hard.

Answer 3

First of all, there is a moral and ethical issue here. your older sister and mother are teaching bad ethics and morals to the rest of the family by working the system. They both need to model appropriate positive, honest, good values about life in general. Your participation in this matter is lie a two-edged sword. Damn if you do, damn if you don't. Guess there is no true answer to this. Whatever you decide to do is the correct answer. You did good by practicing what you thought was the right thing to do at that particular time.

Answer 4

It sounds like you are more than a little jealous of the relationship of Mom and Sis. I am not condoning cheating of any type, but I think you are waving the Ethics Flag in a mighty self-righteous manner. What is the motive of your heart?

Answer 5

You did the right thing. I am a single mother with 2 kids and I work too hard for my money to have it going to people that are lazy and don't wanna get out there and get a damn job.

Answer 6

I think that principles have to come before family sometimes, so I think you did what you had to do. I'm actually facing that with my family at the moment....it's not a criminal matter, per say, but it is highly immoral and wrong and I feel I have to stand up for what is right and stick to my principles. It's hard.

Can I please say that children are ALWAYS a blessing from God and please don't ever refer to them as bastards....I know, I know that is the technical term for children out of wedlock, but it is not the children's fault. That term could hurt them more than you could ever know. Please rephrase that part of your story....you are after all their uncle and role model.

God Bless!

Answer 7

one thing is thats your own family, put yourslef in your sister's position, sure you probably did the right thing, but think about it, your sister and mom are probably going to get charged, maybe you should of trying talking to your sister, about the consequences, and the rules first, if that dind't work, you should of just warned her that you were going to turn her in, if she didn't believe you then thats WHEN you do it, but you don't do that to family. its like kicking your mom out of your house, when she doesn't have no where else to live

Answer 8

First and foremost .... shame on you for calling your nieces and nephews "bastard children". What in the world did the children do to you to be talked about this way.

Now, if someone was committing a criminal act, I would report them. I wish their was an "ethics" court because you need to be reprimanded for your language against children.

Answer 9

If you know about a crime and don't report it you are abating or accessory of the crime. You could be found guilty and lose everything you worked for.

You are in a very difficult situation.

Answer 10

Unless a family member is a rapist, murderer, or child molester, most people would feel that the bond between you shouldn't be broken because of a criminal act. It is impossible to understand your personal family relationship. I don't agree with turning in a family member, but I don't think crime should be condoned anyway. I don't see how you can rationalize turning in your sis and mom for a little welfare fraud, I mean, damn, the government is just going to spend it on something crazy anyway, it isn't taking food out of my mouth.

Answer 11

i would do the same thing you did but i would NEVER EVER call those children bastard children even if she wasnt married when she had them. They are innocent in all of this and you have no right to be angry at them or call them bastard children, they did not choose to come into the world and into your family. No one should ever call children that no matter what the circumstance is. Be angry at there mother and your mother but leave the children out of it.