Wife Accused In Cancer Scam Pleads Guilty
NBC 4
A woman accused of stealing $800,000 from friends and family by claiming her husband had cancer pleads guilty Monday.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A woman accused of stealing $800,000 from friends and family by claiming her husband had cancer pleaded guilty Monday.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
Prosecutors in Delaware County said Melanie Chen, 29, convinced about a dozen family members and friends that she needed thousands of dollars to pay for her husband’s medical expenses.
Relatives contacted authorities after they grew suspicious and the couple was unable to produce documentation of Phylip Chen’s medical treatment.
Melanie of Columbus pleaded guilty to one count of theft, a first-degree felony, Monday. She was indicted on the theft count and one count of receiving stolen property.
She was given a bond of $825,000 Wednesday, May 20.
Melanie’s sentencing was scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009.
Phylip of Columbus has pleaded not guilty to charges of theft and receiving stolen property. His trial was scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 19.
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Reader Reactions
“cancer is not a joke” - exactly! So for someone to use deception and gain profit from such a devastating and life changing illness justifies wanting and wishing that Karma kicks in gear - if that is what is in store for her.
...and yes, I have had 4 family members die of cancer and my life-time best friend who was only 29 at the time, die of cancer - which is why I have so much passion for this story and why it makes me so irate to the point where I left my comment about karma catching up with this woman!!!
As a 2 time cancer survivor, I just want to say that not even the worst of criminals should have to experince the pain and trauma of real cancer. Those of you who curse them to contract cancer have probably never had to experience the withering, the pain, the hair loss, the shots, the pills, the days where you can’t keep water down and finally the psychological after effects that haunt you the rest of your life. Cancer is not a joke and the crooks were very wrong, but cursing them with cancer is also wrong.
LAZY COWS, PEOPLE LIKE THEM ARE THE REASON OTHERS ARE WARY OF GIVING TO CHARITIES AND SUCH BECAUSE OF LOW LIFE PIGS LIKE THESE. HER HUSBAND KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP. THEY SHOULD BOTH BE INJECTED WITH CANCER CELLS.
Marie:
Thank you for the correction. That information was not confirmed by the Delaware’s prosecuting attorney yesterday. It was confirmed today. I have added it to the story.
Wouldn’t it be interesting if Karma kicked in gear and she or her hubby ended up with cancer for real…
These people are trailor trash! I hope they both rot in prison.
to lazy to work for whatseh and her husband want.. typical lazy good for nothing criminals.. Worst thing is makes it harder for people to trust.. SHame on this couple the husband had ot know some how of the criminal activity, so he is jsut as guilty..
Hopefully these dead beats get a nice stint in jail and loose a lot worse than what little gain they got. Maybe make them do a few hundred hours of community service to cancer patients keeping a close eye on them to not scam any one else there).
NBC 4 is wrong. Phylip Chen’s trial is scheduled to begin Wed., Aug. 19,2009 in Judge Whitney’s courtroom (Delaware County Court of Common Pleas)according to Judge Whitney’s docket.
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