Indictment: Actress falsely claimed cancer

Jace Radke

Monday, Feb. 21, 2005 | 8:41 a.m.

A former Las Vegas Strip performer has been indicted on allegations that she has faked having cancer in order to collect more than $31,000 from celebrity benefits.

Christina L. Anderson, 32, a former cast member in "Rat Pack is Back," is named in the six count federal indictment that was unsealed Friday.

Anderson is charged with six counts of mail fraud, and collected $31,030 by fraudulently claiming that she was dying from leukemia, cervical cancer, uterine cancer and lymphoma, according to the indictment.

Anderson was arrested Friday and appeared before U.S Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leavitt and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Leavitt released her on her own recognizance until trial.

The indictment states that Anderson has been falsely claiming since June that she is suffering from cancer and that she needed money because she has no medical insurance.

Among the local Las Vegas performers who appeared in shows to benefit Anderson were Clint Holmes, Lance Burton and Rita Rudner.

The indictment goes on to state that Anderson attended a benefit concert in Los Angeles on Aug. 12 and went to a check cashing store to cash in donor checks.

Anderson is alleged to have collected six checks, totaling $31,030, through the mail from donors that the government says are victims of fraud.

The indictment states that "to induce and entice celebrities to donate money to her... Anderson knowingly made false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and material omissions."

The indictment against Anderson was returned on Wednesday but remained sealed until authorities arrested her on Friday morning.

If convicted Anderson could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the mail fraud counts she is facing.