Authorities investigate funding for runaway bride's bus trip
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Posted 10:25AM on Thursday, May 5, 2005
LAWRENCEVILLE - Authorities have been comparing the amount of cash that runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks says she took on a trip across the country to the actual cost of such a trip.<br>
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They say the numbers do not add up.<br>
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Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter tells the Gwinnett Daily Post that the funding for the trip is part of the investigation. He says he is trying to account for the money.<br>
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The 32-year-old Wilbanks, a Gainesville native, told police she has only $140 when she left to go jogging on April 26 and then disappeared to escape the pressure of a lavish wedding. She called police from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and returned home late Saturday -- the same day she had planned to wed fiance John Mason.<br>
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The newspaper says the actual cost of such a journey would be more than $260, not including food, hotels or other purchases.<br>
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He fiance says Wilbanks left behind her purse with identification and credit cards as well as her cell phone, keys and engagement ring when she left Duluth.<br>
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Porter says authorities have found no evidence that anyone helped Wilbanks after she left her fiance's home.<br>
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