Victim: Fake doc stole hope, thousands of dollars
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Investigators say the man accused of posing as a doctor at the Oregon Health & Science University stole thousands of dollars from a patient.
But Sabrine Strader of Beaverton said what Lucas Ebert really stole from her was hope.
Strader said Ebert took advantage of her long-time desire to undergo gastric-bypass surgery. When she first met him through a co-worker, she said she was thrilled to learn he was a plastic surgeon at OHSU.
"He believes what he says, so he's very persuasive," Strader said.
The two met in the surgical area of OHSU as well as a Starbucks coffee shop. He even picked her up from her home and take her out to lunch, she said.
Strader said she didn't even mind giving him a few thousand dollars so he could help her get financing for the surgery. He said the money was to help her rebuild credit, she said.
Prosecutors said Strader isn't Ebert's only victim. He also faces theft charges for his dealings with Carr Chevrolet in Beaverton.
According to Carr Chevrolet, Ebert took advantage of his mother's solid history with the sales staff. He claimed his mother was in the hospital and he by her bedside, then proceeded to write them a bad check for $42,000 in her name for a Cadillac.
Ebert's mother was never in the hospital.
And police in Corvallis said Ebert wrote a bad check for $15,000 to a business partner for a computer repair shop they were starting.
Strader said she never doubted Ebert until time came for surgery.
"In fact, I tried to check in for the surgery and that's what led to the OHSU people finding out about it," she said. "I was shocked, yes. That's an understatement."
Carr Chevrolet said Ebert told the sales staff he was a surgical technician assisting with operations. According to his Facebook page, one of his favorite TV shows is "Nip and Tuck", a show about two plastic surgeons.
Ebert appeared before a judge on Thursday. He faces charges of theft and criminal mistreatment.
But Sabrine Strader of Beaverton said what Lucas Ebert really stole from her was hope.
Strader said Ebert took advantage of her long-time desire to undergo gastric-bypass surgery. When she first met him through a co-worker, she said she was thrilled to learn he was a plastic surgeon at OHSU.
"He believes what he says, so he's very persuasive," Strader said.
The two met in the surgical area of OHSU as well as a Starbucks coffee shop. He even picked her up from her home and take her out to lunch, she said.
Strader said she didn't even mind giving him a few thousand dollars so he could help her get financing for the surgery. He said the money was to help her rebuild credit, she said.
Prosecutors said Strader isn't Ebert's only victim. He also faces theft charges for his dealings with Carr Chevrolet in Beaverton.
According to Carr Chevrolet, Ebert took advantage of his mother's solid history with the sales staff. He claimed his mother was in the hospital and he by her bedside, then proceeded to write them a bad check for $42,000 in her name for a Cadillac.
Ebert's mother was never in the hospital.
And police in Corvallis said Ebert wrote a bad check for $15,000 to a business partner for a computer repair shop they were starting.
Strader said she never doubted Ebert until time came for surgery.
"In fact, I tried to check in for the surgery and that's what led to the OHSU people finding out about it," she said. "I was shocked, yes. That's an understatement."
Carr Chevrolet said Ebert told the sales staff he was a surgical technician assisting with operations. According to his Facebook page, one of his favorite TV shows is "Nip and Tuck", a show about two plastic surgeons.
Ebert appeared before a judge on Thursday. He faces charges of theft and criminal mistreatment.
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