Indictment: Melissa Jones Pocketed $30,000 From Cancer Scam
By: WROC-TV
Updated: May 31, 2012
123Details of the indictment against a Canandaigua woman accused of running a cancer scam say she pocketed about $30,000 from about 200 people in New York.
Melissa Jones, 30, appeared in Ontario County Court Wednesday. She faces a 16-count indictment that includes charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of a forged instrument, falsifying business records and endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors say Jones falsely claimed to have stage 4 breast cancer and organized fundraisers to help pay for her treatment. Today, News 8 learned that Jones allegedly manipulated letters from her doctors, stating that she was completely cancer-free. Jones was charged with child endangerment because prosecutors claim that she brought unnecessary pain and anguish to her 10-year-old son by claiming that she was dying.
Jones will be back in court on July 25th. If convicted, she faces 10 to 20 years in prison. It is also likely that she will have to pay back all the money donated to her.
Melissa Jones, 30, appeared in Ontario County Court Wednesday. She faces a 16-count indictment that includes charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of a forged instrument, falsifying business records and endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors say Jones falsely claimed to have stage 4 breast cancer and organized fundraisers to help pay for her treatment. Today, News 8 learned that Jones allegedly manipulated letters from her doctors, stating that she was completely cancer-free. Jones was charged with child endangerment because prosecutors claim that she brought unnecessary pain and anguish to her 10-year-old son by claiming that she was dying.
Jones will be back in court on July 25th. If convicted, she faces 10 to 20 years in prison. It is also likely that she will have to pay back all the money donated to her.
