Faking terminal cancer for $264,163 in donations, including two GoFundMe pages
Jennifer Flynn Cataldo, a 37-year-old former special education teacher in Alabama, falsely portrayed herself as having terminal cancer from 2014 to May 2017, collecting $264,163 in checks, cash and online donations, including through two GoFundMe pages, from friends, family and the public. She pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of bank fraud, and was sentenced in November 2017 to 25 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $79,629 in restitution.
- Year
- 2017
- Where
- United States
- Outcome
- Sentenced
- Reported loss
- $264,163
- Victims
- Not stated in the sources
- Schemes
- Crowdfunding and fake fundraiser scams
- Last reviewed
- 2026-10-11
The facts, as recorded
- Cataldo, 37, of Alabama, falsely claimed to have terminal cancer from 2014 to May 2017.
- She collected $264,163 in checks and cash from donors, including through at least two GoFundMe pages, one titled 'Mom has Terminal Cancer Disney Trip' with a stated $4,000 goal.
- She pleaded guilty in August 2017 to one count of wire fraud and one count of bank fraud.
- She also faced two pending first-degree theft charges in Shelby County, Alabama, at the time of her federal sentencing.
- On November 8, 2017, a federal judge sentenced her to 25 months in prison, three years of probation upon release, and mental health and drug counselling.
- She was ordered to pay $79,629 in restitution to her victims.
- US Attorney Jay E. Town said at sentencing: 'She has earned every nickel of her punishment,' and that she 'engaged in an elaborate scheme that preyed upon the sympathy and generosity of her friends and family.'
- FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. said crimes like this 'make good people think twice before they are willing to be charitable.'
- Cataldo told the court: 'I was deceitful and I lied. I'm sorry.'
A fabricated diagnosis, maintained for three years
Jennifer Flynn Cataldo, a 37-year-old former special education teacher in Alabama, told friends, family and the public that she had terminal cancer from 2014 until May 2017. Over that time she collected $264,163 in checks, cash and online donations, including through at least two GoFundMe pages, one of which sought $4,000 for a “Disney Trip” tied to her claimed illness.
Caught, charged, and sentenced
Cataldo pleaded guilty in August 2017 to one count of wire fraud and one count of bank fraud, and faced two further pending state theft charges in Shelby County. On November 8, 2017, a federal judge sentenced her to 25 months in prison, three years of probation, mandatory mental health and drug counselling, and $79,629 in restitution to her victims.
US Attorney Jay E. Town said she “engaged in an elaborate scheme that preyed upon the sympathy and generosity of her friends and family,” and that “she has earned every nickel of her punishment.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. warned that crimes like this “make good people think twice before they are willing to be charitable.” Cataldo told the court: “I was deceitful and I lied. I’m sorry.”
The caveat
Cataldo pleaded guilty and was sentenced; the wire fraud and bank fraud convictions are proven, concluded facts. The two Shelby County theft charges referenced in contemporaneous reporting were pending at the time of her federal sentencing, and this page does not state their outcome because no source confirming it was found; those charges, specifically, should be treated as unresolved rather than proven.
Sources
- Woman who faked terminal cancer for donations gets 25 months in jail. Fox News. Accessed 2026-10-11. Supports: Cataldo's name, age, former occupation, the terminal cancer claim, the $264,163 raised, the GoFundMe campaign title, the wire and bank fraud charges, the 25-month sentence, the November 8 2017 sentencing date, and the US Attorney and defendant quotes.
- Woman sentenced to prison after faking terminal cancer, raising over $260K. WTVR (CBS 6, Richmond). Accessed 2026-10-11. Supports: The $264,163 total raised, the $79,629 restitution ordered, the Birmingham, Alabama location, and the US Attorney, FBI and Alabama Attorney General quotes.