Ex-Beauty Queen Accused Of Faking Leukemia Apologizes
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - A former Pennsylvania beauty queen accused of having faked leukemia to benefit from fundraisers has apologized through her attorney for her actions.
Brandi Weaver-Gates, 23, of Pleasant Gap, has waived her preliminary hearing in Centre County on charges of theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
The Centre Daily Times reports that public defender Deb Lux said Tuesday that her client "is "truly sorry" and "She asks for forgiveness, although she understands many won't find it in their hearts to do so."
State police say they believe four large fundraisers were held for the Miss Pennsylvania U.S. International pageant winner, including an April bingo benefit that raised $14,000, but they don't have a total amount raised.
Lux said her client promises to pay all of the money back.
As for Weaver-Gates' beauty queen title, the pageant directors said they are shocked by the allegations and plan on stripping the title from her.
Pageant organizers previously issued the following statement:
"We at Butler's Beauties are saddened to hear of the news of Miss Brandy Weaver-Gates. We were also led to believe that she was dealing with this horrible disease and stood by her as she struggled being a beauty queen and a cancer patient.
Butler's Beauties believes that with a crown and sash you can accomplish many great things as a role model, spokesmodel and community leader as a beauty pageant queen. When you deceive the public and take people's money that is under the pretense of fraud, we will not tolerate those actions. Our hearts go out to those affected by cancer and to those who were taken advantage of by Miss Weaver-Gates.
Effectively immediately, Ms. Weaver-Gates is no longer a representative of the Miss Pennsylvania U.S. International organization and will be required to return her crown and sash upon her release from being detained."
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
