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“Through this scheme, you deceived your friends, your family, your community, other cancer victims, charities, and strangers who were motivated by your supposedly tragic story to donate to help support you,” Judge John Telleen said.
The Bettendorf woman told the court that she lied to get the attention of her dysfunctional family. “I didn’t do this for money or greed,” she said. “I did this as an attempt to get my family back together.” Scott County prosecutor Kelly Cunningham suggested against the prison sentence and noted Russo’s clean criminal record, employment status, and exceptional standing in college. Cunningham said the woman was “unlikely to re-offend.”
The woman was caught red-handed after medical professionals noticed things weren’t adding up with her story. Police arrested her in January after medical records confirmed she had never been diagnosed with cancer.
“I fully acknowledge what I did was wrong. And I’m incredibly sorry,” she said. “If there was anything I could do to take it back, I would. The reality is I can’t.”
@olujuwonariwayo
MADISON RUSSO FAKE CANCER #maddierusso
♬ original sound – Lady J
Source: Black Enterprise
