Ex-beauty queen sorry for faking cancer, pocketing donations
A former Pennsylvania beauty queen accused of faking leukemia to benefit from fundraisers has apologized for her actions and has promised to pay all the money back.
Twenty-three-year-old Brandi Weaver-Gates, of Pleasant Gap, waived her preliminary hearing in Centre County on charges of theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
The Centre Daily Times reports that public defender Deb Lux said Tuesday that her client “is “truly sorry” and “asks for forgiveness, although she understands many won’t find it in their hearts to do so.”
State police say they believe four large fundraisers were held for the Miss Pennsylvania U.S. International pageant winner, including an April bingo benefit that raised $14,000.
Lux says her client feels “liberated from the lies she’s been living.”
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