Another Example of GoFundMe Fraud
From: https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2017/11/woman_who_faked_cancer_for_don.html
Jennifer Flynn Cataldo, 37, was sentenced to a total of 25 months and 20 days in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Virginia Hopkins. The sentence takes into account time Cataldo has already served in prison while the federal charge was pending.
Cataldo, of Sterrett, pleaded guilty in August to one count of wire fraud and one count of bank fraud. Thirteen additional federal fraud charges were dismissed.
"I wish that I could put into words exactly how I feel... I am overcome with sorrow," Cataldo said Wednesday morning at her sentencing hearing.
Cataldo was also ordered to pay $81,270.03 in restitution.
"They trusted me, they loved me... I was deceitful and I lied. I'm sorry. I don't know a better word than sorry," she said.
Starting in 2014 and ending in May 2017, Cataldo solicited money for expenses she said were related to her terminal cancer diagnosis. However, Cataldo was never diagnosed with any terminal illness or cancer, her plea agreement states.
Cataldo's attorney, Adam Danneman, said to the court Cataldo was a compassionate, caring person who taught special education for over a decade in Mobile. He said Cataldo's troubles began when her older brother died in 2014. "Her brother died, and she gave up," he said.
After her brother's death, Danneman said Cataldo began using prescription painkillers on a daily basis. The money she stole in donations partially funded that drug habit, he said.
According to court records, Cataldo asked for donations from family, friends, and third-party organizations on Facebook, in emails, and in text messages. She also received donations through two separate "GoFundMe" online fundraising accounts.
One of the GoFundMe accounts was set up for medical expenses by Cataldo's friend, and the other was set up by Cataldo to raise money for taking her child to Disney World. On the Disney World account, Cataldo stated she wanted to visit the amusement park with her child before she died. From that account, Cataldo raised over $10,000. From the medical care account, she raised over $27,000.
In total, Cataldo's plea agreement states she received over $200,000 in donations throughout her scheme.
"I want to be a better person for my son, for my parents," she said Wednesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Beardsley Mark said Cataldo's punishment should be greater than the defense's requested 18 months. "It is clear... she needs that drug treatment program. She's going to need assistance," Mark said.
Cataldo used "something real people suffer from" to gather donations "real people need," Mark said.
The federal sentence will run concurrently with any prison time Cataldo receives in her state charges. Currently, she has two first-degree theft charges in Shelby County that are still pending.
Following her release from prison, Cataldo is to serve three years of probation and complete both drug and mental health counseling.
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Woman who pleaded guilty to faking cancer for $200,000 in donations sentenced to federal prison
Nov 8, 2017 | Posted Nov 8, 2017
By Ivana Hrynkiw
A woman who pleaded guilty soliciting funds for a terminal illness she didn't have was sentenced today in federal court.Jennifer Flynn Cataldo, 37, was sentenced to a total of 25 months and 20 days in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Virginia Hopkins. The sentence takes into account time Cataldo has already served in prison while the federal charge was pending.
Cataldo, of Sterrett, pleaded guilty in August to one count of wire fraud and one count of bank fraud. Thirteen additional federal fraud charges were dismissed.
"I wish that I could put into words exactly how I feel... I am overcome with sorrow," Cataldo said Wednesday morning at her sentencing hearing.
Cataldo was also ordered to pay $81,270.03 in restitution.
"They trusted me, they loved me... I was deceitful and I lied. I'm sorry. I don't know a better word than sorry," she said.
Starting in 2014 and ending in May 2017, Cataldo solicited money for expenses she said were related to her terminal cancer diagnosis. However, Cataldo was never diagnosed with any terminal illness or cancer, her plea agreement states.
Cataldo's attorney, Adam Danneman, said to the court Cataldo was a compassionate, caring person who taught special education for over a decade in Mobile. He said Cataldo's troubles began when her older brother died in 2014. "Her brother died, and she gave up," he said.
After her brother's death, Danneman said Cataldo began using prescription painkillers on a daily basis. The money she stole in donations partially funded that drug habit, he said.
According to court records, Cataldo asked for donations from family, friends, and third-party organizations on Facebook, in emails, and in text messages. She also received donations through two separate "GoFundMe" online fundraising accounts.
One of the GoFundMe accounts was set up for medical expenses by Cataldo's friend, and the other was set up by Cataldo to raise money for taking her child to Disney World. On the Disney World account, Cataldo stated she wanted to visit the amusement park with her child before she died. From that account, Cataldo raised over $10,000. From the medical care account, she raised over $27,000.
In total, Cataldo's plea agreement states she received over $200,000 in donations throughout her scheme.
"I want to be a better person for my son, for my parents," she said Wednesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Beardsley Mark said Cataldo's punishment should be greater than the defense's requested 18 months. "It is clear... she needs that drug treatment program. She's going to need assistance," Mark said.
Cataldo used "something real people suffer from" to gather donations "real people need," Mark said.
The federal sentence will run concurrently with any prison time Cataldo receives in her state charges. Currently, she has two first-degree theft charges in Shelby County that are still pending.
Following her release from prison, Cataldo is to serve three years of probation and complete both drug and mental health counseling.
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@BLKAnonymous
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