CLAY COUNTY, FL. -- Action News is investigating a connection between a woman from Fleming Island who is accused of faking cancer and an accused Ponzi schemer in California.
It is yet another bizarre twist in the alleged cancer con case.
As we told you first, Mary Ann McCall was arrested earlier this month facing two felonies connected to the fraud. Her bond is set at $250,000.
Detectives say ten victims, likely more, were taken for at least $100,000.
Investigators told us is that McCall hadn't worked in more than seven years. So how was she living in one of Clay County's most exclusive neighborhoods for so long?
Action News Lynnsey Gardner digs even deeper and found that answer is pretty unbelievable. It turns out, the Fleming Island home is owned by an accused ponzi schemer in California, accused of his own con to the tune of millions of dollars.
"Obviously greed is going to be one of the motivations," said Lt. Dan Mahla with the Clay County Sheriff's Office. "The suspect is not gainfully employed but living in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Clay County and we are pretty sure some of the funds she took from these victims were used for her lifestyle, her actual means to live."
Lt. Mahla is part of the Clay County Sheriff's Office financial crimes unit. He was at the home the day McCall's home was searched. She lived there on the golf course with her son.
Inside, detectives recovered evidence they believe is connected to McCall's widespread cancer con.
Action News also uncovered the home is in foreclosure and owned by accused ponzi schemer, James Koenig, of California.
As we discovered, he bought it in 2007 as a retirement investment. According to his attorney, this happened at around the same time Koenig met McCall online through match.com.
Action News and detectives found she met several of her alleged victims through online dating sites. And yes, even accused con-artist James Koenig says he was taken by McCall, too. When Action News asked more, we got a very familiar answer. While dating long-distance, Koenig's attorney says McCall broke the news that she had breast cancer.
In 2008, Koenig let her move in and, according to his attorney, she hasn't paid a penny since.
Not long after, Koenig was arrested and jailed for defrauding hundreds of investors out of millions of dollars. The original indictment alleged more than 700 victims with about $250 million in damages. Koenig's public defender now says there are about 30 alleged victims and damages estimated at $10 million. The attorney maintains Koenig is innocent.
But you could say, the jail time McCall faces now, hits home.
"Well, I think it's a victory for humanity, especially this time of year," adds Lt. Mahla. "People really want to pour their hearts out and they want to give to those less fortunate."
James Koenig's attorney also told Action News they had no idea McCall was lying about cancer or arrested at all, until we called. He also added McCall reached out to Koenig again through Facebook last year, asking for even more money--but Koenig's assets were frozen because of his own pending legal troubles.
His trial is set for next month as is McCall's arraignment.
Court records show McCall moved eight times in five years before landing in Eagle Harbor.
It was the longest she's stayed anywhere in more than a decade.
Detectives told Action News eventually the lies spread and led to the demise of the cancer con.
