National

Hamilton Woman Who Faked Cancer Gets 2 Years After Pleading Guilty To Fraud

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Jan, 2017 11:35 AM

HAMILTON — A 33-year-old Hamilton woman who faked having cancer has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding a provincial program.

Lawyer Cole Raftery says Sarah Lucas pleaded guilty Wednesday to fraud over $5,000, identity theft and uttering a forged document.

Hamilton police charged Lucas in November 2015 after investigating discrepancies in claims filed to the Ontario Disability Support Program.

Police said Lucas submitted claims for cancer treatments, as well as for residency in a hotel while she was supposed to be receiving medical attention.

Raftery says the total amount of the fraud was $219,000, adding that none of the money has been recovered.

Raftery says his client has been "really, really sorry" throughout the case and is "embarrassed and ashamed."

"She went to the gallows with grace and knows she has to pay the price for what she did," he said of her guilty plea, adding that the reason for the fraud was not explained in court.

"She's the kind of person, if you were to meet her, you would say she's more to be pitied than reviled," Raftery said. "I feel awful for her."

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

2 Students Behind Booking Study Room For 'KKK Meeting': McMaster University Says

McMaster University says two students were behind a "misguided prank" last month in which a library study room was booked for a "McMaster KKK meeting."

2 Students Behind Booking Study Room For 'KKK Meeting': McMaster University Says

Living Close To High-Traffic Roadway Raises Dementia Risk, Study Suggests

People who live in close proximity to high-traffic roadways appear to have a higher risk of dementia than those who live farther away, say researchers, suggesting that air pollution from vehicles may be a factor in the development of the neurological disease.

Living Close To High-Traffic Roadway Raises Dementia Risk, Study Suggests

Case Of Sunwing Pilot Accused Of Being Impaired In Cockpit Put Over

Miroslav Gronych, a 37-year-old Slovakian national, is accused of having care and control of an aircraft while impaired and with having a blood-alcohol level above .08.

Case Of Sunwing Pilot Accused Of Being Impaired In Cockpit Put Over

Democracy Watch Takes B.C. Conflict Case To Court

British Columbia's Supreme Court will be asked to hear a case Thursday that seeks to set aside two rulings made by the conflict of interest commissioner involving Premier Christy Clark.

Democracy Watch Takes B.C. Conflict Case To Court

RCMP Tab For Royal Visit Tops $2 Million; No Final Government Costs

VICTORIA — The RCMP says it spent about $2 million on policing costs during last year's eight-day visit to British Columbia and Yukon by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their two young children.

RCMP Tab For Royal Visit Tops $2 Million; No Final Government Costs

B.C. City Sues Its Own Mayor, Latest Twist In Vancouver Island Council Squabble

A document filed in B.C. Supreme Court says Nanaimo Mayor Bill McKay breached his duties by providing Marilyn Smith with a private email from the city's chief administrative officer that the lawsuit says she used to support a claim against the city.