Benefit raised thousands for Brigid Corcoran, who shaved head to appear sick with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
View full sizeBrigid Corcoran has been charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and first-degree scheme to defraud.Town of Onondaga, NY -- A town of Onondaga woman is facing charges that she lied about having cancer as part of scam to make money, according to Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin E. Walsh.
Brigid A. Corcoran, 31, of St. John Drive, is being charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and first-degree scheme to defraud, both felonies, deputies said.
Corcoran claimed to be diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymphoid tissue. A concerned relative alerted detectives that Corcoran had possibly fabricated her diagnosis to have a benefit in her name, deputies said.
Corcoran shaved her head to keep up the pretense of having the illness and placed a device on her chest that resembled a chemotherapy port to give the appearance and impression that she was receiving chemotherapy treatments, according to deputies.
A large benefit, which raised thousands of dollars for Corcoran, was held July 25 at Damon’s Banquet Hall in Cicero. This fundraiser drew a crowd of people that included friends, relatives, neighbors and community members. The benefit was advertised to support Corcoran’s battle with this illness and to help raise money to pay for her chemotherapy treatments and medical bills.
Deputies said: Detectives discovered Corcoran had no physical evidence of being treated for cancer and no medical evidence that would suggest she was diagnosed with cancer, deputies said. When detectives confronted Corcoran and questioned her about the discrepancy, she confessed. Corcoran admitted to faking the diagnosis and claimed it was all done for attention.
Corcoran is scheduled to appear in the Cicero Town Court on Sept. 7 to answer to the charges.
