DAVENPORT, Iowa — Update:
Madison Russo has been given a suspended sentence of 10 years in prison, for her charge of theft in a cancer scam she created last year.
Her initial plea agreement asked for a deferred sentence, meaning that the crime would not appear on her criminal record after a certain length of time. However, Judge John Telleen said he would not feel comfortable with that judgment.
"Frankly, I think there is a good purpose served by having people with whom you will interact with in the future know that at one time, you engaged in this criminal scheme. Serious crimes must have serious consequences to deter both you and others from such crimes in the future. Granting a deferred judgment in my mind would send the wrong message," Telleen said.
Russo was given a suspended sentence, along with probation for three years. The terms of the probation include payment of restitution in full, performing no other crimes, and doing 100 hours of community service with an unspecified organization.
The restitution is around $39,000, and Russo's legal team says that the money has been paid and is being held in a trust until the sentencing in the case.
Original story and court blog:
Madison Russo is expected to appear in a Scott County courtroom Friday morning to receive a sentence in her case where she stands accused of theft after soliciting donations for a fake cancer diagnosis.
Russo has been charged with first-degree theft when it was revealed the 20-year-old faked her cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Eldridge police arrested Russo back on Jan. 23, 2023, after a subpoena for Russo's medical records came back without any indication of cancer.
She is accused of soliciting over $37,000 from donors mainly through the charity platform GoFundMe.
Her first appearance in court was in February, where she initially pleaded not guilty to first-degree theft. Court proceedings in June show Russo changed her plea to guilty in a plea deal.
During this time the judge also authorized authorities to seize any assets connected to Russo.
Court blog
Court was called into session shortly after 9 a.m. Judge John Telleen presides over the court, with defense attorney Andrea Jaeger representing Madison Russo, who is in court. Scott County State's Attorney Kelly Cunningham represents the state.
Cunningham went over the details of the case, which includes a charge of theft in the first degree, a Class C felony. The state recommends a deferred judgment of 10 years in the Iowa Department of Correction, with two years of supervision. Cunningham also says that more than $39,000 of restitution has been paid and is being held in trust.
9:20 a.m.
The defense calls Dr. Christina Pietz, a forensic psychologist from Springfield, Missouri, as a witness. Dr. Pietz says she has evaluated nearly 2,000 criminals in her career. She performs risk assessments of recidivism in criminal cases.
Dr. Pietz interviewed Russo for more than four hours, doing multiple tests on her. Dr. Pietz says that Russo has no mental health history, no criminal history, no childhood trauma or no substance abuse. Dr. Pietz said that Russo is "not a criminally-minded person" and agrees that she is a good candidate for deferred judgment.
9:36 a.m.
After entering Russo's school records, defense attorney Andrea Jaeger begins her statement. Jaeger says that Russo is "the first to admit that she made a terrible mistake." Jaeger says Russo feels genuine remorse and wants to move forward. She said they had a restitution check in hand before a plea deal was made earlier this summer.
Jaeger says that Russo wanted to "bring her family together" by having a shared struggle to deal with together. But the scam "spiraled out of control," before there was no going back.
Jaeger said that Russo and the family have been threatened in public and been given death threats.
9:51 a.m.
Madison begins her statement to the court, speaking through tears. She touched on her family's struggles that led her to the scam and her regrets. "If there is anything I could do to take it back, I would."
"I had deep wounds I didn't know how to heal from," Russo said. "All I can do is be a better version of myself every day." She said she is continuing with her schooling and her career and looks forward to a future with a family. She apologizes to all she hurt from her "rash decision."
She finishes her 7-minute statement with "I ask for forgiveness and a second chance."
9:59 a.m.
Peggy Ohl takes the stand to make a victim impact statement for the state. Peggy's husband Brent passed away from Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The family and friends founded the Dr. Brent Ohl Strong Pancreatic Cancer Support and Awareness Fund in his honor. The foundation gives gift cards to families dealing with cancer, and had donated to the Russo campaign. Mrs. Ohl expressed disappointment in the plea agreement that was agreed to by the state before talking about the Foundation and its mission.
10:10 a.m.
Another witness for the state, Rhonda Miles, takes the stand. Miles represents the Nikki Mitchell Foundation, a pancreatic cancer foundation out of Nashville, Tennesee. Ms. Miles also began her statement by saying she felt 'betrayal' by the State's Attorney's office. She expresses anger that Russo took donations away from real victims.
Miles says she hates that Russo has become "a face of pancreatic cancer," not celebrities like Alex Trebek or Patrick Swayze. Miles recommends that Russo should serve at minimum community service, working with those dealing with cancer.
10:18 a.m.
Judge John Telleen begins to give his thoughts. He says that Russo engaged in a "lengthy course of deceit." He said he originally thought that Russo was motivated by greed or social media fame, but he's not sure that is the case now. He said this scam was "not a momentary lapse in judgment."
"My decision is limited. I can either accept or reject the plea agreement," Telleen said. Telleen says that a deferred judgment would leave no record of the theft on Russo's criminal record. But he said there would be a "good purpose served for people in your future to know you did this crime." He said a deferred judgment would send the "wrong message."
The judge makes his ruling in the case, handing down a "suspended sentence," rather than a deferred sentence that the plea agreement had requested. This means that the crime will go on Russo's criminal record. Russo has been given a 10-year suspended sentence, along with probation for three years.
The terms of the probation include:
- Pay restitution in full ($39,385.79)
- Perform no other crimes
- 100 hours of community service, unspecified organizations
There is an additional $1,370 fee. There was a discrepancy in court costs, which will be addressed by the court in the next 30 days.
Case background
Russo's case made national headlines following her arrest. Eldridge police began their investigation in January after anonymous witnesses told detectives about some medical discrepancies found in photos that she had posted on various social media sites, including Facebook and LinkedIn.
Russo also shared her story publicly through social media and a GoFundMe page, which was featured in the North Scott Press newspaper on Oct. 18. Russo also discussed her cancer journey as a guest speaker at St. Ambrose University, The National Pancreatic Foundation and on the Project Purple podcast.
As time moved on, more people came forward with how she had enticed them to give her money for her fake pancreatic cancer treatments. Police said they even recovered various items during their search of her apartment back in January, including:
- Medical equipment such as an IV pole, IV tubes and medical bandages.
- 2023 Kia Sportage.
- $346 in cash.
- An iPhone with a black case.
- A brown wig.
- Two different planners.
- Four pages of emails from "Coach Chela."
- Financial statements with bank information, including information about another person.
- Two prescription bottles prescribed to another person.
- Receipts.
- Gift cards.
- Michael Kors purse.
GoFundMe ended up refunding the money that had been donated to her.
"My thinking is, say a prayer for this young kid, because she's going to have a lot of terrible consequences as a result of this," donor Louis Frillman told News 8 back in January, explaining that empathy was the key ingredient in his $500 donation.
Frillmen was one of over 400 donors across the country who contributed to the campaign, and as GoFundMe began rolling out refunds, he and many others were surprised.
"I thought she had passed away," Frillman said.
Another donor, who asked to not be on camera, told News 8 that the scam is impacting their ability to trust others in need of help.
"Now I am sickened, not for my $200, but that now I have to hesitate about helping others," they said.
Watch Madison Russo's full testimony in court:
Watch Peggy Ohl of the Ohl Strong Pancreatic Cancer Foundation deliver her statement:
Watch Rhonda Miles of the Nikki Mitchell Foundation speak directly to Madison Russo:
Watch Judge John Telleen deliver the sentence:
Previous coverage:
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