Tracy Dart, well known West Seattle fundraiser has admitted to faking having cancer. An investigation has not been started since no victim has come forward.
UPDATE 3:15pm Feb 3
Seattle Police said today that as yet, no victim has come forward to file a complaint in what could be a case of criminal fraud against Tracy Dart. "You can't have a crime without a victim," the SPD media office said. Dart, who claimed to have cancer, raised money on behalf of cancer organizations but also held numerous personal fund raisers to help defray personal expenses. Until someone actually files a complaint, "detectives are waiting" to begin an investigation. If you or someone you know feels they were the victim of fraud, you can call the Seattle Police non-emergency number at (206) 625-5011 and ask to speak to a detective.
UPDATE 9:47am Feb. 1
After the West Seattle Herald broke the news about Tracy Dart, questions went out seeking comment on the matter from a variety of those affected including the prominent cancer fundraising organization Susan G. Komen Foundation.
They stated via email:
"Komen was notified of this situation last week and has been in contact with Tracy’s family. We are sad for Tracy and her family and hope that she, and they, will find healing in the days ahead. The Team Tracy community has been a steadfast supporter of our mission to end breast cancer since 2006. We can assure the community that Tracy did not receive any funds from Komen. Our records show that Tracy personally raised $28,541 for Komen starting in 2006, and that her Seattle and California teams raised more than $414,000 since 2006. This money has been used as intended - for Komen's research and community health programs.
Christi Ball Loso
Senior Public Relations Manager
Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen
Original post
According to reliable sources, well known West Seattle fundraiser and business woman Tracy Dart, has admitted to faking having cancer. The family found out when Tracy went to the doctor for treatment of a liver problem and no records of her cancer could be found by the hospital.
Dart claimed to be a three time survivor of the disease and has risen to local celebrity status with many fund raisers conducted on her behalf. The West Seattle Herald profiled her in 2010. In a story reported by KOMO News the owner of Auburn Volkswagen, Matthew Welch was interviewed and said he was told in person by a member of Team Tracy, her cancer fundraising organization, that Dart never had the disease. Team Tracy raised more than $400,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation over time through various events.
It is not known if criminal charges are pending, but acting under false pretenses to collect funds is fraud and is a crime.
The West Seattle Herald has reached out to her friends and attempted to contact Tracy via email but so far no comment has been offered.
Her Team Tracy Facebook page the We Heart Tracy Dart Facebook page and Brand Baby company page on Facebook are no longer online.
Her Twitter page, not updated since last July remains online.
The crime is not uncommon. Three days ago a Georgia woman was accused of felony forgery and a misdemeanor charge for theft after allegedly lying about a fake cancer diagnosis to get money and gifts from people in her local community, police said.
An entire section of the Huffington Post lists case after case of Cancer fraud.