February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Jim Smith
BOSTON — The woman who allegedly pretended she had ovarian cancer in order to swindle thousands of dollars out of residents of South Boston and Dorchester was in Superior Court last Wednesday seeking to negotiate a deal with prosecutors in exchange for a guilty plea to larceny.
Kristen Clougherty, who is 26, is expected back in court Oct. 16 for another lobby conference among her lawyer, prosecutors, and Judge Carol Ball. The parties will then return to court Oct. 31, at which time either Clougherty will plead guilty or a trial date will be set.
In June 1999, the South Boston resident raised more than $40,000 for herself at a fund-raiser at the Old Colony Yacht club in Dorchester. She quickly spent most of that money on trips, a new car, liposuction and a downpayment for breast-enlargement surgery.
In August 1999, she began organizing a road race in South Boston to further benefit herself. An anonymous tip eventually led police investigators to expose Clougherty’s claim of cancer as a hoax.
Although no details of the proposed plea arrangement were made public, prosecutors are expected to seek full restitution from Clougherty in addition to other penalties. She faces up to 10 years in prison.
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