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Woman charged in fake cancer case

By: Associated Press//October 17, 2014//

Woman charged in fake cancer case

By: Associated Press//October 17, 2014//

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SPRING GREEN, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin authorities filed charges against a woman who they say raised more than $50,000 from charities and individuals by faking a cancer diagnosis.

Theresa Strub, 29, of Lone Rock was charged Wednesday in Richland and Sauk counties this week with eight felonies and three misdemeanors. Most of the charges are associated with false representation less than or equal to $2,500. Strub was arrested after an eight-month investigation involving two county sheriff’s departments, Spring Green police and the state Division of Criminal Investigation.

Strub used online campaigns and benefit days at local restaurants to raise money, investigators said.

“This individual preyed on the good nature of our community … for her own personal gain,” Sauk County Sheriff Chip Meister said. “There are people out there that truly need the financial help, to help them through the crisis of cancer. For someone to do this is just disgusting.”

Strub claimed she was diagnosed with stomach cancer that had spread to her kidneys. She used forged doctors’ notes and stock photos of infected organs in her fundraising efforts, according to authorities. She claimed the money raised would go toward medical expenses for cancer treatment and other expenses, such as food, car insurance and her mortgage.

Fundraising for Strub dates back to May 2013, when her parents opened a benefit account for her at a local bank, according to criminal complaints filed in Richland and Sauk counties. Strub’s mother opened a second benefit account for her in June, according to the complaints.

Her parents and husband told investigators they believed she had cancer, Meister said. Authorities have not been able to prove that those claims are false, he said.

Strub faces up to 48 years in prison or a $127,000 fine if convicted. She is free on $15,000 bond.

An attorney representing Strub declined to comment Friday morning.

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