BELLEFONTE, Pa., Aug. 12 (Thomas Monzon) — The 23-year-old Miss Pennsylvania U.S. International, Brandi Lee Weave-Gates, is behind bars after allegedly faking cancer in order raise thousands of dollars.
Weaver-Gates was arrested Tuesday and charged with receiving stolen property and thieving by deception. Her bond was set at $150,000 but she remains in jail at the Centre County Correctional Facility in Bellefonte, Pa.
Weaver-Gates was arrested after Pennsylvania State Police received an anonymous letter that described an elaborate scheme of lies and deception. The now former beauty queen apparently shaved her head and had family members drive her to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Pa. in order to legitimize her cause. She held fundraisers – such as one in April called “Bingo for Brandi” – that availed her more than $14,000.
Weaver-Gates initially claimed that she was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in March of 2013. State police investigator Thomas Stock said she did not have the disease and that the letter submitted anonymously claimed that Weaver-Gates could not name any of her doctors.
Butler’s Beauties, which coordinates Miss Pennsylvania U.S. International was disappointed with Weaver-Gates’ actions. The group said that she has been stripped of her title and that the company expects her sash and crown to be returned once she gets out of jail. They also added that they will not tolerate the use of someone’s status as a beauty pageant queen in order to commit fraud.
