N.J. woman accused of faking cancer for cash

(CBS/AP) MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. - When Lori Stilley told her friends and family that she had bladder cancer, they delivered meals, held raffles and a T-shirt sale, hastily planned and paid for her wedding and raised more than $10,000 for her treatment.

But prosecutors say it was all a scam.

Stilley, a 40-year-old who lives in Delran, N.J., was charged Wednesday with theft by deception, charges her lawyer denies.

Authorities say she told family and friends in February 2011 that she had stage 3 bladder cancer and would need chemotherapy and radiation. Two months later, she told them - and posted on her Facebook page and personal website - that it was now stage 4, which means the cancer was spreading to other parts of her body.

Her friends and supporters pitched in the way people often do for sick loved ones: making a schedule of meal deliveries and, when she said she didn't have medical insurance, raising money.

The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said family and friends also hastily planned and paid for her wedding to her boyfriend last year.

Stilley even wrote an e-book about her experience. Prosecutors say "I'mpossible: How A Facebook Group Loved Me Through Bladder Cancer," selling for $14.99 a copy, raised more than $3,000.

Stilley's arrest came on the same day Phoenix resident Jami Lynn Toler was sentenced to one year and jail and three years of probation for pretending to have cancer in order to raise money for breast implants.

Earlier this year, Jessica Vega admitted to falsely claiming she was dying of leukemia so donors would pay for her "dream wedding." Vega, of upstate New York, was arrested in April in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the scam.

Woman jailed for faking cancer to get implants
Bride who faked cancer to be released from jail

Stilley's own sister was the one who turned her in. Lori DiGiovanni told WCAU-TV that she became suspicious when Stilley's story changed quickly. Soon after telling friends and family that she was making hospice plans and was being given a month to live, she posted on Facebook that she felt a miracle coming and was feeling better.

DiGiovanni said she believes her sister needs mental-health help.

Stilley's lawyer, however, said she did not do anything wrong.

"The Prosecutor's Office has not presented me with any competent evidence that would lead me to believe they are able to prove my client did anything wrong," Adam Malamut told the Burlington County Times in a story published Thursday. "The only evidence I'm aware of are statements made that I believe to be slanderous in nature from a family member with whom she's had a fractured relationship."

Stilley was arrested Wednesday and released on bail of $25,000.

"For this defendant to represent that she was dying from this terrible disease for the sake of personal gain and sympathy goes way beyond simply being a criminal offense," Burlington County Prosecutor Robert Bernardi said in a statement, "it was extremely cruel to those who were concerned and worked hard to lend assistance."

[truthseeker27]

Want to learn more about this story? Visit "Faking Cancer Is Just Not Cool" on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faking-Cancer-Is-Just-Not-Cool/284105174974604
Feel free to leave a message for Lori.

[truthseeker27]

Want to learn more about this story? Visit "Faking Cancer Is Just Not Cool" on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faking-Cancer-Is-Just-Not-Cool/284105174974604

[klh2000]

Have the lawyer and the women work in a cancer clinic for a year and lets see if they change their tunes. Maybe then they actually feel something.

[arkajun-2009]

What the difference between what this woman did and say,
a politician that takes your donated money to his campaign with a promise to represent you in Washington, then once he gets there, winds up representing only himself.

[rwsmith29456]

Fraud is not wrong??? If you ask me, anybody that gets implants only to make their breasts bigger need mental help.

[formerlyluvnut]

PS: Bladder cancer does kill if not caught in time BUT, I have had it since 1996, had surgery & it remained in "remission" for 9 years, then came back VERY aggressively. It only gets deadly IF it becomes muscle invasive and spreads. When it does, it's terminal, usually within 6 months BUT, if it appears it is becomming muscle invasive the bladder can be removed and that solves the problem leaving the lifelong threat of the cancer cells migrating to the kidneys. This biotch should be shot.

[djseavy]

I have cancer, and it saddens me that someone would fake the disease for financial gain. I don't think any of them need to be tarred and feathered, but at the very least, they should be required to repay the money. I fear what will happen is that people will stop showing goodwill and start to doubt everyone that does indeed have a catastrophic disease. The economy is bad, there's no getting around that, but there are ways of obtaining money without resorting to deception. More importantly, I feel for what the family and friends of these people went through. Believing a loved-one is dying when it's false is a cruel thing to put others through. Why not just be honest and tell everyone what you're really raising the money for? Chances are, there are people who would understand and donate. Then, you have a clear conscience, and those you've accepted gifts from haven't been duped. Just a thought!

[formerlyluvnut]

I have cancer as well...Bladder...stage 3, and have gone thru chemo as well as numerous surgeries for tumor resectomies and people like this REALLY pizz me off. Bring her to me; she won't do it again.

[john92021]

lawyers cost more than boobs. How did she explain the boob job, breast cancer?

[hamiltongrad]

Although this is not "right" it is understandable and worthy of a national conversation. Whay are we teaching our young girls that drive them to do such things ? If not right, then isn't all of society to blame , including the doctors who "promote" these risky procedures with false claims to vulnerable young women. To stay strong, we must be ourselves. Blaming this woman is easy and all too typical of a male dominated society, where the victems need less, only understanding and dialogue needed, which are difficult.
What she did was not totally right. But where are the underlying motivators, instigators and who benefits most ?