Woman Who Faked Cancer Fined $100: Martha Ann Nicholas Pleads Guilty

Martha Ann Nicholas held fundraisers to raise money for her cancer treatments. She became a familiar face at cancer rallies around Virginia. She supported the cause with "Cancer Sucks" T-shirts.

And on Tuesday, she was fined for soliciting donations to treat an illness that she did not have.

A Hanover County judge fined 42-year-old Nicholas $100 and placed her on five years of probation for two misdemeanor charges of obtaining money under false pretenses, WTKR reported. Nicholas pleaded guilty on both counts.

Following the decision, Nicholas's lawyer told reporters that although his client did not have the stage-4 ovarian cancer for which she reportedly raised -- and eventually returned in restitution -- a total of $1,700, the mother of two did suffer from a psychological condition which caused her to think that she had a cancer-like disease. It was this misconception that inspired Nicholas to participate in anti-cancer activism, her lawyer claimed.

"I can say she thought she was ill," defense attorney Sam Simpson told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "It was a terminal illness."

At the end of 2011, authorities began investigating Nicholas, who at one point told a reporter that she raised as much as $10,000 for the cause. It remains unclear exactly how much Nicholas raised and reports say she kept the money for her own use.

"Our investigation revealed no evidence of any cancer treatment at any medical facility that had been publicly identified by Martha Nicholas during her many public appearances and testimonials," Capt. Michael J. Trice of the Hanover County Sheriff's Office told the Mechanicsville Local in December. "Investigators also found evidence of individuals that had given money to Martha Nicholas due to her proclaimed medical condition."

The judge also suspended two 12-month jail sentences attached to the conviction.

Comments

[Lisa Silas]

03:17 AM on 03/16/2012

This chic may have gotten by in court but Virginians won't forget. She will be a social pariah. What gall to fake something like that.

[maybesomeday]

06:19 AM on 03/03/2012

I believe in Karma. One should never test drive their karma like this idiot did....

[Ganji]

02:36 AM on 03/03/2012

had she been a guy she would have gotten 20years no probation..justice system favors women to much

[sskepticall]

06:22 AM on 03/02/2012

There were victims to this crime and this is the best that the Judge could do? Pitiful.

[EGHalliday]

06:27 PM on 02/29/2012

Sounds like my ex wife BUT, my ex wife walked away scott free! And she made over $20,000!
http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=173776
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXNafA5MNX0

[mattfz]

09:32 PM on 02/29/2012

In my state of PA, this probably would have been classified as Theft by Deception. It is a third degree felony, I believe.

She should have gotten a same sentence as the woman in this article, if she was a first time offender. Some ARD and mandated counseling would have been nice too.

[ChickEpoo]

03:14 AM on 03/01/2012

It would seem that HuffPo has "dumped" all the previous posts and started
over again.....but would like to respond to your "reply" of my last post which
got deleted along with yours.......

RE: your statement:
Never said everyone's record should be expunged. Just mentioned that eventually this woman should be able to have her expunged.

The circumstances in which someone's record gets "expunged" are very
limited.... And why would HER record be allowed to be "expunged" VS
say....any OTHER "criminal offender".......

RE: your statement:
" Otherwise, you made good points. "

Thank you......Just comes from "practical experience" of sitting
in a courtroom for hours on end....

RE: your statement:
" But.. with a victim involved, you should prosecute it. "

EVERY crime has a "victim" involved.....whether it be a homeowner
whose house gets burgled.....a rape victim....these "fraud" victims....
a retail establishment with shoplifters...... Property crimes have
"victims".....such as "vandalism" or "damage to personal property"....
BECAUSE.....someone OWNS that property....and will have to
"pay out" to repair the damage....ergo...the homeowner is the
"victim" in a property crime....

[ChickEpoo]

03:18 AM on 03/01/2012

CONT'D.

RE: your statement:
" Some ARD and mandated counseling would have been nice too. "

MOST of the time these articles do not state anything more than the
defendant GOT "probation"...... While there are "standard terms
and conditions" for probation.....the Judge is at liberty to toss just
about ANYTHING in there he wants for "specific" terms and
conditions..... I have seen him make defendants "do the dishes....
do their homework".....and one poor idiot...(a personal
prosecution).....almost could not pee without permission....lol ....
He had to submit to warrantless searches of his person...vehicle
and any residence he resided in....... Have seen them "mandate"
as a "specific term".....that they go to Mental Health.......and they
very well may have done so for this "offender".....

But you won't see HuffPo list out any of the "specific" terms of anyone's
probation.....

[lizp33558]

05:30 AM on 03/01/2012

boy , she was winner,you must be glad to rid of her

[EGHalliday]

11:41 AM on 03/01/2012

You have no idea how glad I am, I am just sorry for the 3 kids we have together that thought she was going to die. I have them full custody now and going through counseling in hopes to get them back on track and to have a normal life!

[Sherry Honaker]

05:38 PM on 02/29/2012

HOW DARE HER? How can someone be so sadistic as to to such a thing? Cancer has struck my family twice. I have a sister that was just 36 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and our mama was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. My sister will be a 3 year survivor in April of this year.But, our mama was not so lucky,she made it 8 months after she was diagnosed.I have watched both my sister and our mama go through literal "HELL".with all the chemo, radiation and other various procedures they had to endure and also saw my sister come sooo close to death that we didnt know if she was going to make it and she is still going through surgeries and dealing with the effects that this disease has did to her

IF I WAS THE JUDGE, YOUR PUNISHMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE!
You have NO IDEA what its like!
MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOU FOR SUCH A CRUEL AND STUPID JOKE!! jUST THINK OF THE MONEY YOU TOOK FROM INNOCENT PEOPLE THAT COULD HAVE USED IT FOR RESEARCH AND VARIOUS OTHER HELPFUL THINGS!!


I just dont understand how someone could be sooooo STUPID!!! as to fake this horrific disease!

[lizp33558]

05:31 AM on 03/01/2012

im sorry for your loss, your right this is a horrific thing to do.

[Lisa Silas]

03:27 AM on 03/16/2012

I'm sorry such a ill bred amoral person caused you so much anger and grief. I do believe in Karma and she will have her day of reckoning. As a nurse I began to see someones passing as a relief to them. We are selfish in our love of our family we want them to always be there no matter what. I miss every single one of the folks I cared for. Each one brought new challenges. But it was such a relief when they passed. No more pain or needles. No more forcing yourself to eat etc...I hope you find peace in knowing that your loved one is no longer in pain. Sadly you carry all of that pain. I pray you can let it go and don't allow that ignorant woman any more thought as she isn't worth it.

[Anne Siperek]

04:18 PM on 02/29/2012

unbelievable. Wish she could have my operation and take my radiation treatments for me... She really needs to be with a hospice worker that goes to the homes of the terminally ill. And she needs to pay back every cent.

[lizp33558]

05:39 AM on 03/01/2012

i agree, would nt that be a good punishment making her work in hospice or cancer treatment centers and see the reality of what she was faking,

[yopeac]

10:10 AM on 02/29/2012

Gee I wish my mom got fined $100 bucks and got probation instead of breast cancer. This lady is dirt.

[sparkybrown7877]

09:55 AM on 02/29/2012

ONE HUNDRED DOLLARES? No comment................

[JulezSD]

09:47 AM on 02/29/2012

"the mother of two did suffer from a psychological condition which caused her to think that she had a cancer-like disease" This is such BULLSH|T if a minority had used the same defense a few years would've been tacked on for trying it. This women get a suspend sentence, $100 fine, and probation, her crime is just misdemeanor WOW really WOW talk about selective prosecution! I get tired of the hard on crime people's silence, when some white soccer mom breaks the law. Where is the outrage and I bet she's ( cause I don't know for sure ) an evangelical conservative republican and she accepts full responsibly for the harm she caused, just as long as the penalties are light or nonexistent!

ps... she would also say 'I'm sorry IF anyone was offended by my use of deadly cancer to game people out of their money and possibly turning people that are give into people who that don't'

[lizp33558]

05:41 AM on 03/01/2012

everything you say about laws is corect, but not everything is about racism, gee

[JulezSD]

09:43 AM on 03/01/2012

How is it not, have you heard a minority get off cause of the mental condition? there is a list of white soccer mom types that did get off with the "it was a mental condition" defense. Also let me say, I'm not saying, all whites are racist, just that some white have more of an opened mind to their claims of a mental problem. I remember a case in Texas of a white man that killed and dismembered his neighbor. When the police show up they asked the guy why he cut up the body hey says, I knew you were coming, and I was afraid you would find the body. He was acquitted of murder mayhem, I know he's not much of a soccer mom buy with all the evidence this guy was still able to get off in the big "don't mess with Texas" state.

[bridgeman]

08:03 AM on 02/29/2012

She need to be forced to serve her probation at a cancer ward in a hospital so she can see witness first hand the pain and anguish cancer victims and their loved ones deal with.

[Lisa Silas]

03:32 AM on 03/16/2012

I wouldn't let her anywhere near them they are suffering enough. She should have to serve some jail time

[tracidelk]

06:23 AM on 02/29/2012

wow..This is sad, I only hope that she does not get something that she will need public fundraising for, because people will be very skeptic in the future. Sad thing is, that everytime I see a jar I think the same thing due to this economy. Just plain sad that this is what runs through my mind before giving any money be it loose change or dollars.

[Ceselli]

06:08 AM on 02/29/2012

Faked cancer really.....
I had it...........................I wish this on NO ONE !
Wow what a low form of life ! ! !

[kaptan]

04:48 AM on 02/29/2012

Not sure what the judge knows that is not in the article . but if he bought into her defence he should have also mandated some kinda mental theropy

[vinny5717]

04:01 AM on 02/29/2012

the $100 fine won't even begin to cover the cost of the probation they put her on for 2 years. way to teach her a lesson Virginia... they should have jus locked her up for a while, that would have bee a better use of the tax payer's money that probation.