A 28-year old woman posed as a Bronx high school student for two weeks, attending classes using a fake name, prosecutors allege.<\/p>\n
Kacy Claassen enrolled at Westchester Square Academy on April 13 under the name Shamara Rashad, telling Principal Marques Rich that she was just 16 and came to New York from Ohio with her sister, according to a criminal complaint charging her with criminal impersonation and trespass.<\/p>\n
She pleaded not guilty.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors say the principal eventually saw a screenshot of Claassen\u2019s Facebook page, which included her real name and real date of birth. He then confronted Claassen, who allegedly copped to the con. \u201cI lied about my identity because my friend forced me to. She was using me to receive more public assistance,\u201d she said, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n
It was unclear what type of benefits she might have been referencing.<\/p>\n
Her attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n
The NYPD says police responded to a 911 call from the school on April 27 for possible identity theft and detained Claassen without incident.<\/p>\n
While the events may prompt comparisons to comedies like \u201cNever Been Kissed\u201d and \u201cBilly Madison,\u201d education department spokesperson Isla Gething underscored the gravity of the charges.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnrollment fraud is a serious crime that fundamentally undermines New York City Public School values,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are providing all necessary and suitable support to the school community.\u201d<\/p>\n