PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island woman who police say faked that she had cancer has been charged with obtaining money under false pretenses.
Rhode Island State Police say 35-year-old Alicia Pierini of Woonsocket was arrested Thursday. She did not enter a plea during her arraignment at district court in Providence and was released on $40,000 personal recognizance.
Police say they received a complaint last month that Pierini told people she had a brain tumor or brain cancer. A friend started a GoFundMe account to help with her medical expenses, raising around $28,000.
But police say their investigation determined she had not been diagnosed with a tumor or cancer.
A GoFundMe spokesman says all donors have had their donations refunded.
A current phone listing for Pierini could not be found.
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