A North Philadelphia woman who gained international attention last year for spending $25,000 on her son’s prom is facing multiple counts that could land her in jail for 140 years.
Saudia Shuler, 44, was charged Tuesday with six counts of wire fraud, two counts of social security fraud and one count of theft of government funds by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District.
According to the federal indictment, Shuler applied for benefits from the Social Security Administration, claiming she was disabled and unable to work. After being approved, she allegedly continued to work, including at her Country Cookin’ restaurant in the 2800 block of North 22nd Street.
Shuler is alleged to have never reported her income to Social Security, which is in violation of the program. The total loss to the government was put at $36,785.67.
In the spring of 2017, Shuler gained national attention when she spent $25,000 on a camel, three tons of sand and exotic sports cars for an event in her North Philadelphia neighborhood on the night of her son’s prom. Her son had three dates that night.
Shuler said she had thought of sending her only son, Johnny Eden Jr., to Dubai for a visit. Instead, she decided to bring the Persian Gulf nation to Philadelphia for festivities before the formal dance. Eden’s mother later said she had paid for her son’s tuition to Delaware State University in cash.
