Angry Mob Going After "Cancer" Bride

The 23-year-old Westchester County newlywed who allegedly faked cancer to get her dream wedding for free is sticking to her story. Jessica Vega tells the Daily News that a doctor at a Bronx clinic told her in February that she has terminal leukemia, and that she hasn't needed chemo to fight her cancer, just "water, the right foods and exercise." She insists she has cancer, but couldn't show the News any immediate proof from her doctor. ("Maybe tomorrow," she told the tabloid.)

Vega claims that her estranged husband, Michael O'Connell, is trying to get back at her because they're going through a nasty divorce and fighting for custody of their 1-year-old daughter. But O'Connell says Vega's pants are on fire, and he feels like a "jackass" for believing her. Also feeling betrayed are the many local merchants and community members who donated money and services to make Vega's wedding one to remember.

"It is despicable what she did and how we were conned by her," says photographer Joel Schreibma, who donated his services to the couple, giving them a portfolio of wedding photos worth over $1,000 for free. He's contacted the Ulster County District Attorney and plans to file charges, telling the Times Herald-Record, "I'm going after her." Feeling even worse is Tammy Purdy, the general manager of the Comfort Inn of Newburgh, who left rose petals, a bottle of Ed Hardy Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries inside a comped honeymoon suite that usually goes for $200 a night. "We wanted them to be wowed," Purdy tells the News. "My husband died of cancer, so it became very personal for me."

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By John Del Signore in News on September 9, 2010 11:16 AM

Comments [rss]

sara7

Nancy.Skenandore has been claiming cancer for the last 10 years!Still fat,engages in criminal activity,(ccap) verification.Hair loss due to heredity.Always looking for sympathy, goes to local churches in Green bay Wi.begging for money.She called one in front of my daughter.

John L

This woman is crazy and her husband is an idiot.

How does your wife have cancer and you don't to her doctor's appointments even once?

I guess there were no doctor's appointments but if my wife had terminal cancer I'd want to be there for her and possibly seek a second opinion, etc. Did she just say I have cancer and he said ok and that was it?

They're both idiots.

I really feel sorry for the child involved.

40oz.killa

If she get caught of lying, she goes to jail right?

Sketto

She's a jerk and a liar, but on what legal grounds do you sue? She was given stuff out of pity.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

donations were based on a lie. If I donated to a org for a purpose and then the money isn't used for that purpose then it is fraudulent. Donations were given to her because she stated she had cancer. if she never had cancer then it is fraud. I think she can be criminally prosecuted as well as sued.

Sketto

Yeah but what if, unsolicited, I voluntarily give you something (or leave in your hotel room as a gift) that you didn't ask for (whereas orgs and charities expressly solicit for funds)? She didn't repurpose the gifts or spend money on anything other than what the givers expected - it was spent on her wedding. She's unethical and deceitful, but I'd be interested to see if she has to legally repay anyone.

Also, her husband is at least as immoral - accepting the ruse when it benefited him, but using it against her when he's getting divorced. Double jerk.

FelixtheCat Christine Quinns

yep, i agree with you on the jerk of a husband. however, what was the purpose of her cancer story? if it was untrue then she did it to gain favors. I am quite sure that she will have to return the money if she never had cancer since these people donated due to her "illness". I think it might be criminal was well because what was the purpose of the story? to gain free stuff and discounts for her wedding. This is why it was fraudulent.

Sketto

Again, I think she's awful and deserves whatever punishment she has coming. The only thing that really interests me in this story is the legal thing. And if I'm her lawyer, I'd say there's no fraud. She can stand on the corner all day long yelling, "I have cancer." That's a lie, but not fraud. She's a bad person and the gift-givers are rightly angry, but it somehow just doesn't seem illegal.

Put another way: Lying to people about your own health is not by itself a crime (civil or criminal), so how can it become one merely because you are given a free, unsolicited gift?

Christine Quinns Sushi Fund

youre confusing illegal in the criminal ('the people...') sense with illegal in the 'civil' ('john v mary') sense. no criminal charges will likely be filed here, but yes, the individuals can go after her in CIVIL court.

FelixtheCat Christine Quinns

no I definitely agree that they can make a claim against her in civil court but there is a potential for criminal charges as well for fraud. Why else would they go to the DA's office who deals only in criminal cases and not civil matters? Also sushi??? in Quinn's case, twinkies and hostess cakes would be appropriate.

Christine Quinns Sushi Fund

you can go to the da's office to say hello or to file criminal charges- doesnt mean anything can or will be done.

Rocknrope

I blame reality tv and all these stupid bridal shows. It makes every woman covet the most expensive, gaudy and flamboyant celebrations with 10K wedding dresses, 50K receptions, and private island honeymoons.

wobbleSmith

that's like blaming video games for kids shooting up schools. granted the wedding industry is breaking the richter scale of terrible these days.

anyway, blame her. she's an asshole.