New fraud charge against woman who faked cancer

August 11, 2010

Jim Wilkes

Volunteers claim Ashley Kirilow raised $20,000, but she says it was less than $5,000.

A fourth, more serious, charge has been levelled against a young woman who faked cancer to collect money for herself.

Ashley Kirilow, 23, was charged Wednesday with fraud over $5,000 during a court appearance. At her request, she remains in custody at Vanier Centre for Women to await a video court appearance on Aug. 19 and possible bail hearing.

Kirilow, of Burlington, was previously charged with three counts of fraud under $5,000.

The new charge related to an alleged incident between Feb. 1 and March 30, 2009, in Burlington. The documents only list the name of Donna Michalowski, a Sutton Group realtor.

Still “angered and hurt and frustrated and shocked,” Michalowski told the Star “a large group of fellow realtors organized a fundraiser to raise more money for Ashley. There were so many people who cared for her and loved her.”

A few friends turned up for Wednesday’s court appearance but no family. Kirilow said only, “Yes” in a barely audible voice when asked if she understood the charges. She sat handcuffed in court wearing a Hunter green sweatshirt and track pants, her hair pulled back in ponytails.

Two of the three charges of fraud under $5,000 involve Janet Care; the third involves Jamie Counsell, according to court documents. All are alleged to have occurred between Aug. 1, 2009 and last April 30.

She has admitted to faking cancer and creating a bogus charity to raise money for her personal use. According to friends and family, Kirilow — who shaved her head and plucked her eyebrows to maintain her ruse — has bilked supporters of more than $13,000 in donations.

On Friday, Kirilow turned herself in to an Oakville police station. She appeared briefly in a Milton courtroom Monday morning.

So far, no one has come forward to post bail for her.

After Ashley’s bail hearing on Monday, Kirilow’s father, Mike, said his estranged daughter called him the night before her bail hearing and pleaded with him to attend.

He said it was a difficult decision but he and his family have agreed not to bail Ashley out. She has lied to them one too many times, he said.

“We all love Ashley, we've never stopped loving Ashley,” Kirilow said quietly. “We're just very hurt and upset that she's put us through all of this.

“Ashley is in the hands of the justice system now,” he said. “I hope when all is said and done, she really understands the seriousness of what she’s done.”