Lie Detector Deal For Delaware Man In Alleged Cancer Scam

DELAWARE, Ohio—Prosecutors have agreed to drop the charges if an Ohio man accused in alleged cancer scam passes a lie detector test.

If Phylip Chen of Columbus flunks the polygraph, prosecutors in neighboring Delaware County expect Chen to plead guilty to one count of receiving stolen property and one count of filing fraudulent tax returns.

Thirty-eight-year-old Chen is accused of working with his wife to convince friends and family that he had cancer so the couple could collect $800,000 in contributions. Wife Melanie Chen pleaded guilty in August to a theft charge and is awaiting sentencing.

Prosecutors’ spokeswoman Traci Whittaker said Tuesday that Phylip Chen’s lie detector test has not been scheduled. She says if the results are inconclusive, Chen could face trial.

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