Gambling Addict to prison

Woman in medical fraud sentenced to jail


VICTORIA, British Columbia, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- A woman convicted of faking life-threatening illnesses to fund her gambling addiction has been sentenced to three years in a Canadian prison.

Tina Sammons of Victoria, British Columbia, pleaded guilty in November to four counts of fraud for using faked medical conditions to defraud friends and relatives of more than $350,000, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Friday.

Sammons, 37, allegedly got in-laws and friends to contribute money by claiming her healthcare costs weren't being covered because she was an American citizen.

Prosecutors say the West Virginia native claimed she had cancer, needed a kidney transplant, required three heart surgeries and was undergoing a number of medical therapies.

Most of the money Sammons gained through her fraudulent activities went to support a gambling addiction, prosecutors said.

Sammons was arrested after her brother-in-law hired a private detective to expose the 18-month-long fraud.

In sentencing her to prison, Judge Adrian Brooks ruled Sammons must serve time to demonstrate how seriously society views such fraud.

Sammon's brother-in-law said despite her treatment of the family, they would heal.

"We're very strong," Marc Robichaud said. "We all love each other very much, even though there was some division. We will continue to support each other and no, she can't destroy us."