Woman accused of faking cancer arraigned

Cicero (WSYR-TV) - A woman accused of faking a cancer diagnosis as part of a scam to make money pleaded "not guilty" in Cicero Town Court Tuesday evening. Brigid Corcoran allegedly confessed to faking the diagnosis when confronted by detectives in August.

Onondaga County Sheriff's Detectives arrested Corcoran, 31, of St. John Drive, Town of Onondaga, after their investigation revealed her diagnosis was a hoax.

She had claimed to be diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphoid tissue. According to the Sheriff's Detectives, she even shaved her head and placed a device resembling a chemotherapy port on her chest.

She allegedly used the fake condition as a pretense to hold a fundraiser at which she swindled thousands of dollars out of friends and supporters.

Corcoran pleaded "not guilty" Tuesday to grand larceny and scheme to defraud, both felonies.

Outside of court Corcoran's brother, Brendan Corcoran, escorted his sister to the car. Some heated words were exchanged between him and Brigid's former friends.

"Brigid was there for me through a lot of the death that I've experienced this year. She was there for me and she lied right to my face though everything that I've been through this year. She lied right to my face knowing my family was dying of cancer," said Corcoran's former friend Michelle Levandowski. "And then my aunt died of cancer the day she was arrested, and my aunt even bought raffle tickets for her stupid benefit."

Brendan Corcoran says he wishes he could apologize to each person who attended and donated to support his sister, and wishes he could have prevented this. "If I knew what was going on I would have stopped the benefit personally at the door. I would have turned people away."

Brendan Corcoran says he believes his sister needs psychological help, and that is the first step for the family in dealing with this case.

Onondaga (WSYR-TV) - A woman is accused of faking a cancer diagnosis as part of a scam to make money. Onondaga County Sheriff's Detectives say they arrested Brigid Corcoran, 31, of St. John Drive, Town of Onondaga, after their investigation revealed her diagnosis was a hoax.

Detectives say they received information from a concerned relative that Corcoran had possibly fabricated her diagnosis so that she could hold a benefit in her name to raise thousands of dollars. She claimed to be diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphoid tissue. Allegedly, she even shaved her head and placed a device resembling a chemotherapy port on her chest to further the pretense that she was sick.

The Sheriff's Office says its investigation found no physical evidence of her being treated for cancer, and no medical evidence suggesting she had been diagnosed with cancer. Corcoran allegedly confessed to faking the diagnosis when confronted by detectives. She claimed it had all been done as a quest for attention.

On July 25, detectives say a large fundraiser benefit was thrown at Damon's Banquet Hall in Cicero on Corcoran's behalf. A crowd of people including Corcoran's friends, relatives, neighbors and others whom she had never known attended to show support and raise money for the treatments she claimed to be undergoing.

A Facebook page was also created detailing Corcoran's supposed diagnosis and treatments. It promoted the benefit held at Damon's Banquet Hall and a community sale.

Cynthia Borland, who organized the fundraiser on Corcoran's behalf, said that the event gathered roughly $3,000 in donations and a total of more than $11,000 when food, a raffle and other sources of income were counted. About 90 people attended the event.

Now that she knows of the charges against Corcoran, Borland says she feels betrayed. "She's 31. I'm 43. So, she's quite a bit younger than me," said Borland. "It was kind of like a mother hen situation with us. I kind of tucked her under my wing."

"She's sick, but not with cancer. She needs some serious help. I'm disgusted with her," said Borland. "I should have been smarter. I should've known."

The event was held at Dave Damon's banquet hall. He says Corcoran's alleged lies had him convinced. "I'm very surprised. I did get to meet that young lady Brigid that day, and I really thought she had a cancer problem, but apparently she didn't."

Borland says Corcoran tried to apologize to her via text message. "She said she was sorry and that she wanted a chance and that she had some deep seeded issues," Borland said.  There is no forgiveness in Borland's heart for Corcoran. "Sorry is not accepted and I'll see you in court," she said.

The Sheriff's Office also expects more charges as they continue investigating the case. Currently, the charges against Corcoran only pertain to the $3,000 she received in cash.

"We know that she is probably in excess of $3,000," said Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin Walsh. "We keep finding out, and we anticipate now that the story has broken that we'll find out about additional monies over and above what was done at this particular fundraiser."

Corcoran was charged with grand larceny and scheme to defraud, both felonies. She was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Cicero Court on September 7.

Anyone who attended the event should contact the Sheriff's Office at (315) 435-3081.