Did Bride Jessica Vega Fake Terminal Illness for Free Wedding Dress?

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

Jessica Vega tries on her donated wedding gown as a friend holds Vega's daughter. (Times Herald-Record/Jeff Goulding)

NEW YORK (CBS/WCBS) She got a $1,200 wedding dress for free, but now there are reports that 23-year-old Jessica Vega, of Yonkers, N.Y., faked cancer to get a discounted wedding.

After claiming she had leukemia and less than a year to live, Vega was the recipient of sympathy and good will from members of her community. Vega said she wanted to marry her fiancee and be with the couple's baby daughter before she passed away.

Generous strangers donated the wedding rings and wedding flowers in addition to the dress.

But over the weekend, Vega's husband said the entire story was based on a lie, CBS affiliate WCBS reports.

Michael O'Connell told the Times Herald-Record that he believes his wife never had a terminal illness - citing a letter from a doctor stating her diagnosis was fake.

Furthermore, the paper reported that when O'Connell called Dr. Dan Costin's Westchester office, he was told that Vega was "never a patient here."

Bella Couture Dress Bridal Shop provided the Mona Lisa Royale dress for nothing.

"You can't help but to feel betrayed and you know scammed by someone who would say that they are dying from a terminal illness," shop owner Gina Verdes told WCBS.

However, Verdes said she wouldn't think twice about helping someone in the future.

"You can't be soured by it. We still did the right thing. We gave to someone in need and that's what you do as good people and good business - you give to other people in need," Verdes told the station.

O'Connell has filed for divorce and is seeking full custody of the couple's now 1-year-old daughter.

Story Contributed by CBS Affiliate WCBS

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by nperazzo123 December 14, 2010 2:08 PM EST: omg i worked with this *****...she has mental problems...i remember when she gave the news...she always was stupid...i cant believe it was all fake...she should be in jail...those that know her think it is because the week before she was "diagnosed" her boyfriend broke up with her....she was ubsessed with him, wanting to show up places he way to "make him jealous"....she always wanted attention...this is crazy i hope everyone presses charges and they take her daughter...she needs serious help...; Reply to this comment


by watchful_eye September 11, 2010 9:36 AM EDT: WOW. If I were the judge in that divorce hearing, I would physically pluck that baby from her wretched mother's arms and hand her right over to the father!!; Reply to this comment


by maccount September 10, 2010 2:41 PM EDT: God will forgive sinners, but God don't like ugly! Cancer is no joke, it's real, it's painful and it's sad, especially when you have a family who loves you! It's disgusting to even joke about cancer and/or say that you have cancer and lied about in order to sucker people in to giving you what you want! I'm glad the young man had sense enough to get out of your life - it you can do something this selfish - 1) what example are you setting for your child; 2) once a liar, always a liar - therefore what lies do you tell your husband?

You should never lie about such a thing - it can really happen to you and I would not think you would appreciate anyone else making fun! Have some respect to those who HAVE cancer and would like to have their lifes back!!!; Reply to this comment


by peacefulperson September 10, 2010 11:32 AM EDT: You're got to wonder what kind of mental problem she must have. I mean, she came up with this horrible scheme and acted it out, bilking people of their money, goods and good wishes. If that's not warped, what is?; Reply to this comment


by wlhoppers September 10, 2010 9:48 AM EDT: What a horrible person! She should publicly apologize, return the dress and be forced to perform community service, like helping in an oncology unit so she can see first-hand cancer is no joke. She's lucky she's not in the room with me because I'd slap her face so hard she'd see stars. Selfish,self-centered witch. She needs therapy, but not at the public's expense.
On the other hand, I totally applaud the dress shop owner for her grace, dignity and willingness to continue to help others. She's a class act, a kind and generous person.; Reply to this comment


by formrusmcsgt September 10, 2010 7:17 AM EDT: O'Connell has filed for divorce and is seeking full custody of the couple's now 1-year-old daughter.
---
Good man.

Kick that trash to the curb.; Reply to this comment


by margieboy September 10, 2010 12:06 AM EDT: I am so glad that her husband is stepping up, divorcing her and taking responsibility for raising their daughter. I hope that in the future he finds a real woman to share his life with instead of a soulless user.; Reply to this comment


by melwilliams29 September 9, 2010 10:35 PM EDT: That is such a piecs of crap..You know,some people just really have not conscience..That really sux because she is taking away from someone who could really use that help..She deserves whatever hell she may be going through because of this...; Reply to this comment

by Wildwood1966 September 9, 2010 2:16 PM EDT

"you can't be soured by the it - we did the right thing" congrats to her - that is a great attitude - many times I've helped people who say they "need" clothes or food for children - I give to them because I want to - I do not follow them to see what they spend it on - HOWEVER that said - Shame on this bride - to have known so many who have struggled with cancer, died from cancer - she should not only apologize but volunteer to a cancer group and get some counseling herself - wonder if he still loves her?

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by helloall34 September 10, 2010 11:39 AM EDT: Here, here! The bad news is always the headline, but there are good people like this shop owner everywhere. Kudos to her! I think her comment is how most of us feel. I too help because I want to, and I think it is the right thing to do. It makes me feel good to know that I have done something to help someone. If it turns out I was "fooled/cheated" sure I'm upset and disappointed but the actions of others don't change who I am. When you do something good for someone you never really know what all the effects will be. In this case that shop owner's act of kindness and her attitude is affecting people she never would have thought possible in ways she certainly never thought of when she gave away the dress.