NORTH PORT, Fla. — A North Port man was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 20 years of probation, for scheming to defraud over $50,000, a first-degree felony.
Jason Depretis, 42, entered a plea straight to the court. This is not the same as a plea agreement, instead, the defendant chooses to give up their right to a jury trial and be sentenced by the court.
Depretis defrauded his mother’s employer out of more than $85,000 by claiming he had cancer and no insurance. The company agreed to make payments for him to give to medical providers after receiving numerous fraudulent medical documents stating his alleged diagnosis.
The company continued to make payments with the understanding that the defendant was going to receive grants and they would be repaid.
Depretis also defrauded his brother out of money for treatments and created a Go-Fund Me, soliciting money online.
The company became suspicious, and after investigating his claims they contacted the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office to report him.
Detectives verified that Depretis was not a cancer patient and the medical documents the company had been provided were fraudulent.
Depretis was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $87,313.82 in addition to his sentencing.
