It is reported that a woman from Scranton received three months in Lackawanna County Prison for recklessly endangering foreign-exchange students that she allegedly placed in horrible living conditions while collecting fees for setting up host family.
70-year-old Edna Burgette told Judge Michael J. Barasse, "I tried my best... I couldn't keep up." She claimed that her advancing age and health issues had worked against her. Her attorney, Christopher Osbourne said, "it was an unfortunate situation she got herself into."
Aside from having to serve time in county prison, Burgette will have to serve 33 months on probation. Due to her history of heart related problems, her attorney had asked the judge to sentence her with house arrest. Her attorney also noted that Burgette is awaiting sentencing in federal court for one count of fraud related to a foreign exchange students investigation.
Burgette is facing six months in prison for that offense. The judge said that the, "children were endangered over a long period of time in horrendous conditions." The judge also questioned why the Aspect Foundation, the organization that had paid Burgette, was not charged.
Burgette admitted to collecting $2,900 for five student placements based upon fraudulent paperwork in her federal court case. Investigators reported that Burgette placed students in homes without conducting background checks and that she also moved students from residence to residence.
As a coordinator for Aspect Foundation, Burgette was paid $400 for each foreign-exchange student she placed and $20 per month for supervision. Both they and federal regulations required her to file paperwork with Aspect that showed she had screened potential host families and had provided updates on the students.
The investigation started during the year of 2008 when dozens of students said they were neglected after being placed in homes in Scranton. The students told investigators they had to live in filthy homes and that some of the homes were later condemned. Several said they had been placed with an ex convict and one student required medical attention for her malnutrition. It is said that Burgette ignored complaints even though she was paid to check up on students.
If you are a foreign exchange student who suffered abuse or maltreatment, contact the Zalkin Law Firm to discuss your case with a foreign exchange student abuse attorney!
70-year-old Edna Burgette told Judge Michael J. Barasse, "I tried my best... I couldn't keep up." She claimed that her advancing age and health issues had worked against her. Her attorney, Christopher Osbourne said, "it was an unfortunate situation she got herself into."
Aside from having to serve time in county prison, Burgette will have to serve 33 months on probation. Due to her history of heart related problems, her attorney had asked the judge to sentence her with house arrest. Her attorney also noted that Burgette is awaiting sentencing in federal court for one count of fraud related to a foreign exchange students investigation.
Burgette is facing six months in prison for that offense. The judge said that the, "children were endangered over a long period of time in horrendous conditions." The judge also questioned why the Aspect Foundation, the organization that had paid Burgette, was not charged.
Burgette admitted to collecting $2,900 for five student placements based upon fraudulent paperwork in her federal court case. Investigators reported that Burgette placed students in homes without conducting background checks and that she also moved students from residence to residence.
As a coordinator for Aspect Foundation, Burgette was paid $400 for each foreign-exchange student she placed and $20 per month for supervision. Both they and federal regulations required her to file paperwork with Aspect that showed she had screened potential host families and had provided updates on the students.
The investigation started during the year of 2008 when dozens of students said they were neglected after being placed in homes in Scranton. The students told investigators they had to live in filthy homes and that some of the homes were later condemned. Several said they had been placed with an ex convict and one student required medical attention for her malnutrition. It is said that Burgette ignored complaints even though she was paid to check up on students.
If you are a foreign exchange student who suffered abuse or maltreatment, contact the Zalkin Law Firm to discuss your case with a foreign exchange student abuse attorney!
