EDGEWOOD, Ky. — A northern Kentucky woman who officials say faked a cancer diagnosis for years pleaded guilty to theft by deception.
Jessica Krecskay received thousands of dollars in donations between 2015 and 2017 by falsely claiming to have cancer, according to Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders. She swindled more than $10,000 out of well-intentioned supporters.
The Edgewood woman was arrested Feb. 14 after her one-time supporters contacted police.
According to Sanders, those supporters had noticed suspicious similarities to the case of Northern Kentucky University student Kelly Schmahl, who was publicly revealed to have faked a cancer diagnosis and was benefiting from fundraisers meant to cover nonexistent medical costs.
The commonwealth’s attorney has recommended a two-and-a-half year prison sentence — the offense punishable by up to ten years.
Krecskay will be sentenced Sept. 9.
