8°c Sunny
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
US woman charged with faking terminal cancer to get big wedding, honeymoon
CORRECTS YEAR PHOTO WAS TAKEN TO 2010 INSTEAD OF 2012 - In this April 8, 2010 photo, Jessica Vega, right, tries on the wedding gown at Bella Coutre, in Newburg, N.Y. At left, her friend, Kourtney Currier, holds Vega's 11-month-old daughter, Ava O'Connell, while Lorenza Martelli works on the dress. The New York state attorney general's office on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 announced that Vega, 25, has been indicted on charges of fraud and grand larceny for getting her “dream wedding” by falsely claiming she was dying of leukemia. (AP Photo/Times Herald-Record, Jeff Goulding)
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Strangers donated the beautifully embroidered wedding dress, the rings, the honeymoon time-share in Aruba. They acted quickly, too, because the bride was dying of cancer. Or so she said.
The New York state attorney general's office said Tuesday that Jessica Vega, 25, has been indicted on charges of fraud and grand larceny for getting her "dream wedding" by falsely claiming she was dying of leukemia.
"By pretending to have a terminal illness, Vega inexcusably took advantage of the community's hearts and minds and profited off of their generosity," said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. "Our office will hold this individual accountable for fleecing the public through lies and deception."
Vega was arrested in Virginia on April 3, extradited to New York and arraigned Friday. She pleaded not guilty. A call to the Legal Aid group that represented her was not immediately returned.
Among the alleged victims listed in the indictment is the Nu-Cavu restaurant, where the bridal reception was held and wine and appetizers worth more than $1,000 were donated. Part owner Carmela Vitolo-Gelsomine said, "We tried to do the best we could for her. We thought she was in a situation where she needed help."
Others listed as victims are the boutique that donated the wedding dress and a woman who volunteered to do hair and makeup for the bride and seven bridesmaids.
Schneiderman said that in 2010, Vega claimed she had just a few months to live and wanted a "dream wedding" to Michael O'Connell, father of her year-old daughter.
Her cause spread quickly around the region, helped by a story in the Times Herald Record. The newspaper said Vega showed a reporter what she said was a doctor's letter confirming the diagnosis.
The community was "touched by her story," the attorney general said.
Vega and O'Connell were married in May 2010. Four months later, O'Connell expressed suspicions to the newspaper, saying he believed the doctor's letter was fake. Vega said she hadn't lied.
One charge in the indictment says Vega was in possession of a forged document.
The couple divorced, but the Times Herald Record reported Tuesday that O'Connell said they had been living together again in Virginia and had a second child.
"She's a good mom," he said. "I want my kids to have their mother back."
If convicted of fraud or grand larceny, Vega could be sentenced 16 months to four years in prison on each of six counts.
More FP News Top Story
- Back to Top
- Return to FP News Top Story
More FP News Top Story
(1 of 43 articles for this week)
Duffy expense controversy sent back to closed-door Senate committee
05/21/2013 10:02 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular FP News Top Story
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- US automakers holding off on summer factory shutdowns as demand increases
- Study finds mentally ill more likely to be arrested, harmed by police
- Bangladesh rescuers say voices of survivors getting weaker as death toll nearly 350
- Family will claim older Boston bombing suspect's body, uncle says as investigation deepens
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Roughriders add experience as they prepare to host the 2013 Grey Cup
- NDP Leader Mulcair says cops wanted to talk to him about meeting with Vaillancourt
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- First lady: Jobs program has led to training or hiring of 290,000 veterans, military spouses
- A closer look at the 3 new game consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony
- Sens-Habs series gets ugly:Eric Gryba suspended two games for Lars Eller hit
- Canadarm's final flight; Canadian astronauts wistfully watch end of shuttle program
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Census 2011 makes history: population in the West surpasses that in the East
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- As Boston mourns, suspected brothers' radicalism comes into focus
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Still no winner for $50 million Lotto Max jackpot, but Manitoba has a $1 million winner
- Elections Canada wants greater punishment powers in wake of robocalls debacle
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.