McMINNVILLE, Ore. — According to court proceedings, an eight-year fraud scheme in Yamhill County was all in the family — three generations of it.

A Grand Ronde couple, Richard Vanderschuere Sr. and his wife Karen will spend three years in prison for faking disability to get government medical and Social Security payments.

His son, Richard Vanderschuere Jr. and mother, Elaine Vanderschuere, were convicted of related charges last year. His son got five years probation and his mother got 13 months in prison.

The McMinnville News-Register said that altogether, the three-generation fraud netted nearly $250,000.

Elaine Vanderschuere was working as a state fraud investigator at the time.

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger called it a blatant rip-off.

Kroger said the scheme began eight years ago, when Richard Vanderschuere Sr. faked a 100 percent disability and filed a claim for round-the-clock care from his wife, son and mother.

But investigators found the Vanderschueres had full-time jobs at Spirit Mountain Casino, the state employment division and as rural newspaper deliverers.

Yamhill County District Attorney Brad Berry said the problem was presented as a back injury and other maladies.

The family claimed Vanderschuere was "unable to walk, feed or relieve himself without assistance."

His wife first claimed to be his full-time care provider, then his son did. His mother claimed to be his weekend backup. Both Karen and Richard Jr. received payments under the state Medicaid program for in-home services, while Richard Sr. collected Social Security disability benefits.

Kroger said the state Department of Human Services conducted annual in-home assessments, but Vanderschuere Sr. and his wife fooled investigators into believing he actually needed the care.

A tip to the Justice Department in 2007 led to the investigation.

In addition to probation, Vanderschuere was ordered to pay restitution and assist in the case against his parents.

Elaine Vanderschuere also was fired from here state job and ordered to pay restitution. Karen and Richard Vanderschuere Sr. were ordered to pay $57,585 in reimbursement to Oregon's Medicaid program. Richard Vanderschuere Sr. also ordered to pay $175,082 in reimbursement.