I apologize for any confusion. Here is the news body without the references:
A woman in Utah is currently facing 34 felony charges for engaging in a pattern of fraudulent activity at Exitus, a non-profit anti-human trafficking corporation. Candace Elexzandria Lierd, also known as Candace Rivera, was arrested on September 15th after an investigation by the Utah Attorney General’s Office revealed evidence of her deceitful actions.
The charges against Lierd include communications fraud, theft, theft by deception, theft of services, identity fraud, forgery, and unlawful conduct. It has been uncovered that Lierd repeatedly made false representations to donors who generously contributed money to support the fight against human trafficking through Exitus.
Shockingly, the investigation has found that Lierd misused some of the donated funds for personal expenses, including purchasing homes, apartments, cars, and even going on trips. Lierd went to great lengths to deceive others, claiming to be a physician, physician’s assistant, and nurse for personal financial gain. However, it was discovered that she was never licensed or registered in Utah according to the Department of Professional Licensing.
Court documents reveal that Lierd even made false statements about her association with prestigious organizations such as the United Nations and being featured on BBC News. She also falsely portrayed herself as a successful business owner who had founded several multi-million dollar companies.
In January 2021, Lierd falsely claimed to work as a registered nurse at the University of Utah or the Veterans Affairs hospital in Salt Lake City. Employment records from the University of Utah confirmed that Lierd was only employed as a Psychiatric Technician, and her termination was an involuntary dismissal.
Furthermore, Lierd solicited donations in January 2021, alleging that she would work with missing and murdered indigenous women efforts in partnership with the Navajo Nation. However, she failed to fulfill this commitment.
In September 2021, Lierd deceitfully told someone that she worked with the FBI so she could rent a property, but she made it clear that her work was secretive. As a result, she occupied the property as a squatter for approximately six months and caused around $10,000 worth of damage upon eviction.
The extent of Lierd’s deception escalated to involve medical matters as well. In April 2023, Lierd allegedly asked a registered nurse in Utah for assistance in coordinating the medical transport of an orphan from Ukraine to an adoptive family in the U.S. She falsely claimed to be a nurse practitioner and gave the nurse medical directives for the child’s care. Shockingly, Lierd allegedly provided controlled substances, including Ketamine and Haldol, to the nurse.
As the investigation continues, Lierd is being held in the Utah County Jail without bond. The Utah Attorney General’s Office has taken swift action to hold her accountable for her alleged fraudulent acts.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of verifying the credentials and legitimacy of individuals and organizations before making donations, contributing to non-profits, or engaging in any similar transactions. Such deceitful actions undermine the trust and goodwill of donors and hinder the progress of genuine efforts to combat human trafficking.
