An American woman who faked her cancer diagnosis – to get her family’s attention – and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars via fund-me social media pages, has been ordered by the courts to return the funds to her donors.
Madison Russom (20) set up donor pages under the pretence of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, leukaemia and a massive tumour around her spine.
Her documented cancer “struggle” tugged at the heartstrings of more than 400 people who donated to her cause.
The court handed her a 10-year prison sentence, suspended for three years. She has also been ordered to pay back the money and pay a fine.
Her carefully woven lie started to unravel when medical experts began poking holes in her story, reports IOL, leading police to subpoena her medical records, which showed no signs of a cancer diagnosis.
Russo pleaded guilty to first-degree theft, saying she faked her cancer “battle” to get her family's attention.
In court, she acknowledged her wrongdoing and apologised.
IOL article – Court orders woman who faked cancer diagnosis to pay back donors (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
SA nurse in UK fakes husband’s death, struck off the roll
Trainee UK surgeon struck from roll over false sex claims and faked research