July 28th, 2010

Keele Maynor is headed to jail for 42 months for faking breast cancer.  She is from Chattanooga, TN and has been convicted of various white collar crimes such as extortion for obtaining money from charities, churches, friends, and high school booster clubs by claiming that she had breast cancer.

The judge had a real problem with someone who shaved their head and pretended to have breast cancer, as was noted in his words to Maynor.  Maynor also has prior run-ins with the law involving food stamps and child care.

One opinion writer from the Chattanoogan claims that there is a disparity between Keele’s sentence and that of other white offenders in the area.  They point out that people have killed children (albeit on accident) and have served no time in jail.  In addition, people have stole more money than Keele Maynor and gotten half the time.

In addition to her prison term, she also has to pay $300 a month restitution for 10 years while she is on probation.

Do you think that the courts were too hard on her, or do you think that the seemingly harsh sentence was meant to make an example of her.  After all, you can’t just go around soliciting funds from charities claiming to have an illness.  Imagine all the money that she got from these organizations could have been used to benefit someone with a legitimate problem.

Source:

Chattanoogan Opinion Column