Authorities have charged a woman who claimed to have cancer and allegedly took money from people to "help pay her medical bills". She claimed to have survived ovarian cancer and leukemia – twice each. The lies reportedly ran so deep that her own children grew up believing that their mom had fought cancer their entire lives. She even used a wheelchair and sold "Cancer Sucks" t-shirts for $20 each.
Media outlets report 42-year-old Martha Nicholas of Mechanicsville, Virgina was charged with two misdemeanor counts of obtaining money by false pretenses. Her attorney has stated that Nicholas does indeed have a disease, referring to potential psychological issues.
An anonymous tip is being credited with starting the investigation, which revealed no evidence that Nicholas had undergone cancer treatment at any facilities she had previously identified. She faces arraignment later this week in Hanover County General District Court.