Los Angeles

Woman Who Lied About Having Cancer to Steal Money From Friends Sentenced

Lacy Johnson received nearly $100,000 from donors.

A Colorado woman who claimed she needed money for experimental treatment for breast cancer was sentenced Thursday to 180 days in a Los Angeles County lockup and ordered to pay nearly $130,000 in restitution.

Lacy Johnson -- who waived credit for 90 days she had already served in custody -- was also ordered to perform 30 days of Caltrans service and to serve five years on felony probation.

The 37-year-old defendant pleaded no contest to one count of grand theft of personal property, but agreed to pay restitution to all 14 victims.

"There was nothing to indicate she ever actually had the disease (for which) she was requesting money for treatment," Deputy District Attorney David Richman said outside court.

Defense attorney Steffeny Holtz declined to comment on the case.

In a letter read in court earlier this year, one of her victims wrote, "Lacy, you will never understand how deeply you hurt me, both emotionally and financially ... I worked 38 years to build a life that was comfortable. You shattered it."

Another victim told Johnson at that hearing: "You could have had the world. You chose to take advantage of everyone you could at every opportunity."

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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