Hamilton woman who faked cancer sentenced to 2 years after pleading guilty to fraud

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.

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

READ MORE: Ontario woman allegedly faked cancer to scam $200,000 in benefits

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.”