Jason Depretis was sentenced in Charlotte County to 10 years in prison, followed by 20 years of
probation, for one count of Scheme to Defraud Over $50,000, a First-Degree Felony. Depretis
entered a plea straight to the court. This is not a plea agreement. Each defendant can choose to
give up their right to a jury trial and be sentenced by the court.
The evidence showed the defendant defrauded his mother’s employer out of more than $85,000
by indicating to them 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 that
indicated 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 these “treatments” and created a Go-Fund
Me account fundraiser soliciting money online. He was eventually caught when the company
became suspicious and investigated his claims and then contacted the Charlotte County Sheriff’s
Office. Detectives verified that Depretis was not a cancer patient and the medical documents the
company had been provided were fraudulent.
The defendant must pay restitution of $87,313.82. Assistant State Attorney J.D. Miller,
Economic Crimes Unit Chief, handled the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
239-533-1125
ssyoen@sao20.org