Legal Question in Criminal Law in Colorado

A friend has been getting "widow support money" from various Christian organizations. These various charities have been trying to help her out since she has been telling them that she is a struggling widow trying to support her family...

I just found out that her husband is very much alive and has even been trying to locate his children by her. Turns out she left him 9 years ago, taking her 4 daughters with her and leaving town. This whole time though, she has been getting money from different charities.

Isn't this considered fraud? And if so, could this earn her jail time? She has been actively seeking financial assistance on the grounds that she is widowed. Many thanks!


Asked on 5/29/11, 8:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
V. Iyer Iyer Law Office, L.L.C.

This friend can be in a whole lot of legal trouble. Each time she obtains money by either false pretences or false representations or by lying she is committing several crimes. She can be charged with Theft and Fraud at the very mimimum. If these communications are by phone, email, or any electronnic means she can also be charged with mail fraud. If it is over state lines then it could also be Federal crimes. This friend is exposing herself to a whole of prison or jail time if the number of charities involved is more than a handful, if it is across state lines, or the total amount is substantial. Further, she will be required to pay back the amounts she so received as part of restitution. In the end she has to repay all the amounts she received and also pay costs, may go to jail or prison and have a criminal record for a very long time and for what - really nothing.

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Answered on 5/30/11, 2:32 pm


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