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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