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Ten years have passed since wellness influencer Belle Gibson confessed that she lied about having terminal brain cancer, claiming her purported illness was cured through a healthy lifestyle that launched her into fame. This revelation has now inspired a new Netflix series, bringing renewed outrage in Australia regarding the unresolved aspects of her case.
Recent statements from authorities indicate they continue to pursue Gibson for outstanding fines, reigniting public frustration over one of Australia’s most notorious online scams. This incident has brought to the forefront the serious implications of false health claims propagated on social media.
The Netflix series, titled Apple Cider Vinegar, dramatizes Gibson’s narrative but stops short of addressing the aftermath of her deception revealed in 2015. Importantly, she has never faced any criminal charges related to her actions.
In 2017, Australia’s federal court levied a hefty fine of 410,000 Australian dollars (approximately $261,000) against Gibson for misappropriating funds she had claimed were intended for charity. A representative from the consumer watchdog in Victoria stated that efforts to recover these funds are still ongoing.
What was Belle Gibson charged with?
Gibson gained significant attention with her healthy recipe app, The Whole Pantry, which saw 200,000 downloads within a month of its launch in 2013. She marketed both her app and a subsequent cookbook, which was published by a Penguin imprint, claiming that proceeds would support charities and the family of a young cancer patient.
However, it was later determined that only a mere two percent of the total income was actually donated, leading to her violation of consumer laws. As a result, the court mandated that Gibson return the funds and prohibited her from making further health claims.
Gibson communicated in a court letter that she was facing financial difficulties and was unemployed, rendering her unable to cover the ordered costs.
According to a statement from Consumer Affairs Victoria, the agency is actively pursuing the debt owed by Gibson, whose legal name is Annabelle Natalie Gibson. However, the statement did not clarify if any repayments have been made. Authorities have conducted two separate raids on Gibson’s home in attempts to retrieve assets, yet the outcomes of these operations remain undisclosed.
Efforts to reach Gibson for her comments on the matter have not been successful; she has remained largely silent and has not participated in the production of the Netflix series.
Jacinta Allan, the Victoria Premier, recently expressed her disappointment regarding the unresolved status of Gibson’s case, emphasizing that authorities are committed to pursuing the matter diligently.
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Richard Guilliatt, a journalist who uncovered Gibson’s deceit in 2015, indicated that the absence of severe legal repercussions continues to generate significant public resentment towards her. He remarked, “The situation remains like an open wound,” acknowledging the extensive public shaming she has endured. While some believe it might be time to move on, the lingering anger signals otherwise.
Did the case prompt changes?
The repercussions of Gibson’s actions extend beyond personal consequences; her case has significantly influenced regulatory measures regarding health claims. In 2022, Australia implemented comprehensive changes to its code governing therapeutic health claims, allowing for penalties into the millions for violations— a direct response to incidents such as Gibson’s.
Moreover, advertising paid testimonials for health products is now banned, and individuals claiming health expertise can no longer endorse these products. Legal expert Suzy Madar from King & Wood Mallesons stated, “This would apply to the therapeutic claims that Belle made,” highlighting the broader implications of her conduct on regulatory practices.
How have Australians responded to the series?
Apple Cider Vinegar has elicited mixed reactions, drawing both praise for its critical view of wellness culture and backlash from those connected to the real-life events. The series is presented as a “true-ish story, based on a lie,” with Gibson being the only real person represented in the narrative.
Col Ainscough, a resident of Queensland whose family has been personally affected by cancer, criticized the series for its portrayal of a fictional family that mirrored his own experiences, calling the production “insensitive and clearly profit-driven.” Allan also commented on the series, acknowledging the real-life devastation caused by Gibson’s actions and emphasizing the need to consider the impact on actual victims.
Despite the controversy, the case remains a captivating example of one of Australia’s most audacious online scams, as noted by Guilliatt. He expressed hope that this incident serves as a wake-up call, urging people to be more discerning about health advice encountered online.
Source
globalnews.ca