[ad_1]
Madison Russo scammed at the very least $37,303 from donors who had been underneath the impression that she had most cancers. Iowa police arrested the 19-year-old on Jan. 23 after an investigation uncovered that she lied about having acute lymphoblastic leukemia, stage 2 pancreatic most cancers, and a football-sized tumor wrapped round her backbone.
@bobbysmurdyyy #maddierusso #maddierussofakecancer ♬ unique sound – Bobby
According to WABI5, authorities held Russo at Scott County Jail on a cash-only $10,000 bond. However, a person named Tom Bouland bailed her out, per WQAD8. Russo has been charged with first-degree theft by the use of deception. If she’s convicted, she faces a most of 10 years.
Lou Frillman, who donated $500 to Russo’s fraudulent ‘Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer’ GoFundMe fundraiser, spoke to WQAD8 after he obtained a refund.
Her story was one thing that may achieve empathy,” donor Lou Frillman stated. “My thinking is say a prayer for this young kid because she’s gonna have a lot of terrible consequences as the result of this. Lou added, “It’s not enough money to spend years wishing you had done something different.”
The refund got here from the fundraising platform, which launched a press release following Russo’s lie-come-to-light. Russo’s fundraiser was reportedly eliminated by Bouland r, who was listed as its organizer. It’s unclear if Bouland can also be dealing with fees or what his relationship with Russo is.
“GoFundMe has a zero-tolerance policy for misuse of our platform and cooperates with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing. GoFundMe’s Giving Guarantee offers donors a full refund in the rare case when something isn’t right,” Communications Associate Nathalie Granda stated.
Watch Frillman’s full interview beneath:
How Police Uncovered Madison Russo’s Fake Cancer Story Scam
After an investigation, the Eldrige Police Department revealed Madison didn’t have any of the sicknesses she had publicly claimed.
But, she bought her faux most cancers analysis by way of TikTok content material and a GoFundMe fundraiser. Madison additionally made public appearances, telling ‘her story’ by way of native media protection and talking engagements.
She informed North Scott Press in October that docs recognized her with most cancers in February 2022. She detailed receiving a name whereas in school, addressing it as “the worst day of [her] life.”
KWQC studies that Russo was a visitor speaker at Ambrose University, The National Pancreatic Foundation in Chicago, and a Purple Project podcast.
Her presence on social media finally tangled her rip-off when witnesses alerted police to discrepancies in her content material. Officials subpoenaed her medical information and located no most cancers or tumor analysis from any medical professionals in Iowa.
Eldrige Police additionally executed a search of Madison’s dwelling and reportedly collected proof resembling medical provides, a wig, and financial institution statements. Some of the medical provides, together with an IV pole, and nausea capsules prescribed to a relative.
Russo is reportedly due again in court docket on March 2.
[ad_2]