DESPICABLE

Woman Who Lied About Being a Paris Attack Victim for Money Is Jailed

Alexandra Damien pocketed more than $20,000 of victim funding.

A French woman who lied about being a victim of the 2015 terror attacks in Paris so she could siphon off funding donated for real victims has been sentenced to six months in prison for fraud and perjury. Gunmen and suicide bombers killed 130 people in the attacks on the French capital in November 2015—the Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the attacks. Alexandra Damien, 33, posted photos of what she falsely said was a scar inflicted on her by the Kalashnikov gun of one of the attackers. She was found to have taken up to 20,000 euros ($23,180) from funds set up for real victims dealing with the aftermath of the attacks. She also claimed therapy sessions paid for by the French Association of Terror Victims. Damien offered a tearful apology for her actions during the trial.