Alleged cancer con: The Hollywood connection

The Foxworthy Connection

For this Middleburg family, the lie was a dream job with Steve's idol--Jeff Foxworthy.  A celebrity Mary Ann claimed was a family member of hers.

Steve, a father of two, quit his job, leaving behind a salary and health insurance--for the promise of a job with Foxworthy's outdoor company.  He tells Action News he had phone conversations with a man he believed to be Jeff Foxworthy, even exchanged text messages with someone posing as the star.

But that wasn't all--Mary Ann gave Steve a book with a Foxworthy autograph, a picture for their son.  Little gifts that--for Steve and Dawn--strengthened Mary Ann's claim that they were dealing with Mr. Foxworthy himself.

That's why they tried not to doubt her--when she couldn't arrange a face-to-face meeting.

"She would constantly say you don't understand the life of a celebrity," said Dawn. "They have to handle things in different ways.  Which made sense [to me]."

Instead, Dawn and Steve spent two years waiting on McCall hand and foot--taking care of her when she claimed to be sick. They took her to doctor's appointments, made meals for her, prayed for her health--all at what they believed to be the request of Jeff Foxworthy.

Action News anchor Lynnsey Gardner asked Dawn and Steve the question many of you may be thinking: "Let me play devil's advocate. You're a smart woman. You're a businesswoman. You have a college degree.  The story she told you and your family for two years is ludicrous."

"It is ludicrous," Dawn admitted. "But she begins to challenge you and make you feel like you are a bad person for not helping her."

The stories unravel

For Dawn--the moment of truth about Mary Ann's stories came from Facebook.  Mary Ann told the family Foxworthy was a no-show for a planned dinner over the summer.  Dawn decided to see what she could find about the comedian's whereabouts.  A post on his Facebook page showed Foxworthy wasn't in Florida--he was in Atlanta, fighting traffic.

"She took advantage of me and scarred me for life," said Dawn. "I know there were many others that came before me and there were going to be many others who came after me and it was my responsibility, solely, to stop her."

That's when Dawn devoted every waking moment to compiling evidence of a fraud.  A folder 300 pages deep--filled with evidence of Foxworthy's role in Mary Ann's scheme. 

Then she tracked down the real Jeff Foxworthy and had every page delivered right to his front door.

"That was the biggest shock in two years," said Dawn.  When they stated--we have no idea who she is. I have never felt more ignorant in my life," said Dawn. "But I have the answers I needed."

In an affidavit for McCall's arrest, obtained by Action News--Dawn's hard work paid off in black and white.

A call from Foxworthy's outdoors company sparked the investigation with the Clay County Sheriff's Office.  At the same time--other victims were calling Action News.
On Friday night, McCall was taken in for questioning to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

That is where investigators tell Action News McCall confessed to all the crimes.

But for her victims, no criminal justice can restore their faith in humanity. But for Steve, an apology is at least a start.

"I don't know if I'll ever get that justice but at least I'll know she's behind bars and people will know who she really is."

Action News did contact Jeff Foxworthy for comment--and got this statement in return from his brother, speaking on behalf of Jeff Foxworthy:

"I was totally unaware of the con and did not know Mary Ann McCall. I regret that it happened to the McCarthy family and got to the point Dawn McCarthy had to reach out to us.  We're thankful Clay County Sheriff's Office got to the bottom of this."