An Iowa woman who falsely claimed to have cancer and documented her “battle” on social media is out of prison after a judge gave her probation and a suspended sentence.
Madison Russo, 20, never had pancreatic cancer, leukemia or the football-sized tumor wrapped around her spine that she claimed in posts on TikTok, GoFundMe, Facebook and LinkedIn.
But more than 400 people sent their contributions.
As part of the 10-year suspended sentence handed down Friday, he was ordered to pay $39,000 in restitution and a $1,370 fine.
If he stays out of trouble for three years of probation, he will remain free.
The Bettendorf woman pleaded guilty in June to first-degree theft.
Madison Russo was given a 10-year suspended sentence and ordered to pay $39,000 in restitution to be fined $1,370. AP
In court Friday, Judge John Telleen rejected a defense request that would have expunged the conviction from his record if he successfully completes probation.
He said people dealing with him in the future should know that he was involved in “criminal schemes,” and that “serious crimes must have serious consequences.”
“Through this scheme, you deceived your friends, your family, your community, other cancer victims, charities and strangers who were moved by your tragic story to donate to help support you,” the judge said.
Madison Russo claimed in court that she faked her cancer diagnosis because she wanted more attention from her family.GoFundMe
Russo told the court she made up her story because she hoped her fake cancer battle would force her troubled family to focus on her.
“A lot of people have speculated why I did this and how someone who seems like they have everything together could be in such a mess,” he said. “I’m not doing this for money or greed. I’m not doing this for attention. I did this as an effort to restore my family.”
His sentence also includes 100 hours of community service.
He paid $39,000 in damages up front, and the money was held by the court.
GoFundMe has already sent refunds to donors.
Her deception was exposed when medical professionals saw discrepancies in her story online.
Madison Russo lied about having pancreatic cancer, leukemia and a tumor (which she claimed was the size of a football) wrapped around her spine that she claimed in posts on TikTok, GoFundMe, Facebook and LinkedIn. Facebook
Police subpoenaed his medical records and found that he had never been diagnosed with cancer at any medical facility in the area.
He was arrested in January.
Scott County Prosecutor Kelly Cunningham recommended no jail time because Russo has no criminal history, has good grades in college, is employed and is unlikely to reoffend.
That bothered Rhonda Miles, who runs a pancreatic cancer foundation in Nashville, Tennessee, who donated to Russo and testified at the hearing.
“It’s very sad to sit there and watch the Scott County prosecuting attorney act like a defense attorney, so that’s tough,” Miles said.
“And I think he’s going to have a lot of questions to answer from the locals about it at some point. Why are you defending this girl when you should be prosecuting?”
Russo apologized to the court and his victim, and said he hopes he gets help with his family.
“I fully admit what I did was wrong. And I’m so sorry,” he said through tears. “If there’s anything I can do to take it back, I’ll do it. The reality is I can’t.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
