Madison police: Man scammed ‘elderly’ woman out of $578K by claiming to have leukemia

MADISON >> A local man is facing charges after police say he bilked an elderly Wallingford woman out of more than half a million dollars by claiming to have leukemia.

James J. Cicarella, 33, led the woman to believe that she was giving him money to cover medical insurance and health care, police said in an affidavit filed in support of the arrest warrant application.

He actually used the money to buy jewelry, electronics and a house, police spokesman Capt. Joseph Race said in a release. He also bought furniture and a Cadillac Escalade, according to the warrant affidavit.

The woman subsequently sued Cicarella after Wallingford police declined to investigate her complaint, calling it a civil matter. But her lawyer later contacted Madison police after he learned additional information under oath during the civil litigation, the affidavit said.

Read more: http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20160811/madison-police-man-scammed-elderly-woman-out-of-578k-by-claiming-to-have-leukemia