Disgraced ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Writer Elisabeth Finch Defends Personal Fundraising Amid L.A. Wildfires

Disgraced Grey’s Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch got slammed for attempting to privately fundraise for L.A. wildfire relief efforts after previously lying about a cancer diagnosis.

Finch announced on her private Facebook page earlier this month that she was collecting funds directly to her Venmo account to “avoid GoFundMe fees.”

“This is just me. Boots on the ground. It was challenging enough getting dog food while evacuated and I was at a safe place,” read Finch’s alleged post that circulated around on social media. “So this is for people who have virtually nothing and have pets with basic needs.”

Actress Jamie Denbo called Finch out by sharing a screenshot on Thursday, January 16, of her request, adding, “This person is a SCAMMER and a LIAR. It is well documented in the Peacock series Anatomy of Lies. Unless you want to send her donations of 69 cents for her ‘cancer treatment’ (she doesn’t have cancer) or perhaps ‘in memory of her late brother’ (he’s alive) or any thing else she has lied about (everything). DO NOT DONATE to Elisabeth Finch!!!”

Hours after the latest drama made headlines, Finch released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter about her good intentions.

“I recognize, given my history, people might be skeptical of my fundraising efforts,” she told the outlet. “I’m trying to make amends in as many ways I can, including helping my community — especially during these difficult times. So many organizations are calling for gift cards because they are overwhelmed with physical donations, and I didn’t want peoples’ pet needs to get lost in the shuffle.”

Denbo, meanwhile, replied to The Hollywood Reporter with a text message. “Elisabeth continues to scam, deceive and produce incredible material for comedians like myself to use and mock her relentlessly,” she added. “I can’t thank her enough! (For just the last thing.) Keep it up, Finch!”

Finch previously made headlines after Vanity Fair published an exposé in 2022 that called many of her claims into question. The former screenwriter alleged in various publications that she had a rare form of bone cancer, helped clean the remains of her friend’s body from the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh after the 2018 shooting, lost a kidney and part of her leg and allegedly endured abuse by a male director during her time on The Vampire Diaries.

Finch was subsequently placed on administrative leave while Disney investigated the allegations that she fabricated her medical and personal history. Finch ultimately resigned from Grey’s Anatomy in 2022. She later admitted she never had any form of cancer. Finch took back all of her statements except her sexual harassment accusation against the TVD director and her claims that her brother abused her when they were younger.

“I’ve given no one any reason to believe a word I say. I lied about so much that so many people have been devastated by in real life. ‘I’m sorry’ feels like the smallest words compared to what I’ve done, yet they are the truest,” Finch wrote via Instagram on in October 2024 after Peacock released their three-part docuseries about her scandal. “I trapped myself in the addiction of lies, betraying and traumatizing my closest family, friends, and colleagues.”

Finch apologized to those affected by her lies over the years.

“I’m making amends and expressing my genuine remorse as best I can when people are ready. And I’ve accepted the fact that some may never be,” she noted. “I’ve been receiving mental health treatment for nearly three years, and I work hard every day to sustain a life where the truth matters more than anything.”