Fake Cancer Bride

'Cancer bride' scandal hits TV as ex-husband visits 'Anderson'

This photo of Jessica Vega was taken at her appearance in Orange County Court.In an appearance on TV's "Anderson," Michael O'Connell spent much of the segment defending his ex-wife as a good mother who is sorry and wants to repair the damage -- TOM BUSHEY/Times Herald-Record
By Doyle Murphy
Times Herald-Record

Published: 2:00 AM - 05/09/12
Last updated: 6:10 AM - 05/09/12

Two years after Jessica Vega launched a cancer scam, her ex-husband and jilted donors appeared together on Anderson Cooper's day-time TV talk show.

The national television program aired locally at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, five days after the mid-Hudson residents trekked to New York City for the taping.

Michael O'Connell spent much of the segment defending his ex-wife as a good mother who is sorry and wants to repair the damage. He also fended off questions from audience members who suspected he played a role in the deception.

"If people don't believe me, that's their problem," O'Connell said.

Vega, 25, told friends, family and well-meaning strangers in 2010 she wanted to get married before she died of terminal leukemia. People who were touched by her story donated everything from white gold wedding rings to flowers and a honeymoon in Aruba. O'Connell told Cooper that Vega finally admitted to him in January she had lied.

She pleaded guilty to a felony of scheme to defraud and a misdemeanor of possession of a forged instrument in April and remains in Orange County Jail pending her sentencing May 23. Vega will have to repay $13,368.48 in ill-gotten gifts and services, but she is expected to avoid state prison time in exchange for her plea.




Donors Rachel Taylor and Keri Ciastko from Bliss Bridal and Lisa Stoker of Wallkill River House joined O'Connell on the stage. Tom Kavanagh of Kavanagh Jewelers, who donated the wedding rings, and Brenda Johnson, who donated airplane vouchers for the Aruba honeymoon, sat in the audience.

O'Connell apologized to all the donors but said he had forgiven Vega and hoped they would too. Taylor said she had a forgiving nature but still felt hurt over the detailed lies Vega told her. She and O'Connell engaged in a brief exchange after Taylor told him he wasn't "so innocent" and O'Connell responded by calling her "bitter."

Cooper said it was Vega's persistent lies to close friends and loved ones that he found fascinating.

"That's the kind of deception I find stunning," Cooper said.

He wished O'Connell well and told him he hopes Vega gets all the help she needs.