Colleagues are coming to the defense of veteran Clemson councilwoman, Elouise James, after deputies have accused the 66 year old in a cancer scam dating back several years. James was arrested Tuesday. She's accused of forgery, obtaining goods under false pretenses, obstruction of justice, and the exploitation of a vulnerable adult. "My wife is innocent," Romando James told Newschannel 7 just hours after the arrest. "I know what a mother's love can do."
The couple's daughter is the center of the entire investigation. "If she's guilty of anything, she's guilty of loving her daughter that she believed in, because it was all for the sake of the daughter." According to deputies, James said her daughter had cancer. Arrest warants say the 66 year old was taking up donations, claiming the cash was to pay for chemotherapy. "You just hope with all your heart she won't be convicted," says longtime friend and fellow council member Butch Trent. Trent says he gave his colleague a loan last year, but never questioned where it was going. "She came to me once. She said she had a problem and could I loan her some money. I said I'll let you have this and I don't care if you pay me back or not."
Deputies believe the money was actually to pay for her daughter's legal problems. They say the councilwoman even forged a letter from a local cancer center to keep her child out of court. The allegations have some residents disgusted. "I expect them to be honest and trustworthy, cause we elect officials to do a good job," says resident Garfield Williams. Romando James says his wife has done a good job, but fell for a lie. He says the couple's daughter, Kirsten, has mental problems, and tricked her family to believe she was sick. Now, he's hoping his wife doesn't pay the price. "Just praying the truth comes out," he says.
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