The Deception of Amanda C. Riley: A Deep Dive into the “Scamanda” Podcast

The “Scamanda” podcast, produced by Lionsgate Sound, has captivated listeners with its detailed exploration of Amanda C. Riley’s fraudulent claim of battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Through her blog “Lymphoma Can Suck It,” Amanda shared her supposed struggle with the disease from 2012 to 2019, soliciting donations to cover her medical expenses. However, it was later revealed that she never had cancer, leading to her conviction on wire fraud charges.

The Unraveling of a Deception

Amanda C. Riley’s deceit began in her late 20s when she started her blog to document her alleged cancer journey. Her story, which was entirely fabricated, enabled her to fraudulently raise over $100,000 from sympathetic supporters. In July 2020, a criminal complaint led by IRS special agent Arlette Lee exposed the scam, culminating in Amanda’s guilty plea in October 2021. By May 2022, she was sentenced to five years in federal prison and ordered to pay $105,513 in restitution.

Currently, Amanda is incarcerated at FMC Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, a facility that accommodates inmates with various security levels and offers specialized medical and mental health care. Over the seven years of her deceitful campaign, Amanda managed to convince 349 individuals to donate money, including celebrities like LeAnn Rimes, who believed in her fabricated illness.

Cory Riley: Caught in the Web of Lies

While Amanda was orchestrating her cancer scam, her husband, Cory Riley, found himself entangled not only in her lies but also in a legal battle with his ex-wife, Aletta Riley, over the custody of their daughter, Jessa. Cory leveraged Amanda’s supposed medical condition and financial needs to argue for custody adjustments and reduced child support payments. This complex situation was further complicated by the ongoing deception perpetrated by Amanda.

According to the “Scamanda” podcast, Cory and Amanda first crossed paths when she was a 17-year-old cheerleading coach, teaching dance to one of Aletta’s daughters who was actually battling cancer. Cory, around 29 at the time, eventually divorced Aletta and married Amanda. The couple had two sons, Carter and Connor, whom Amanda referred to as “miracles,” claiming that her supposed cancer treatments should have prevented her from having healthy children.

Life After the Scandal

Following the scandal, Cory and his family relocated to Texas after Amanda lost her job as a principal at Pacific Point Christian School in Gilroy, California. As of the latest updates, Cory is focusing on raising his two sons in Texas, where Amanda is also serving her sentence. Details about Cory’s current life are scarce as he maintains a low profile, with no public social media presence to provide further insights.

Charlie Webster, the host of the “Scamanda” podcast, hinted at the complexities of Cory’s knowledge of Amanda’s deceit. In an interview with Glamour, she suggested that listeners pay close attention to the nuances in the podcast episodes, which might offer clues about Cory’s awareness or lack thereof regarding the cancer scam. This cryptic commentary leaves room for speculation and personal interpretation of the events.

Conclusion and Reflection

The story of Amanda C. Riley serves as a stark reminder of the potential for deceit in the digital age, where empathy and support can be exploited. The “Scamanda” podcast not only sheds light on the personal ramifications of Amanda’s actions but also prompts a broader discussion on the ethical responsibilities of individuals in sharing their personal journeys online.

As the podcast continues to unravel the layers of this complex story, listeners are left to ponder the implications of trust and truth in the narratives we follow and support.

FAQs

• What was Amanda C. Riley convicted of?
  Amanda was convicted of wire fraud after falsely claiming to have cancer to solicit donations.
• How long is Amanda C. Riley’s prison sentence?
  She was sentenced to five years in federal prison.
• Where is Amanda C. Riley serving her sentence?
  She is incarcerated at FMC Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas.
• Did Cory Riley know about the cancer scam?
  The “Scamanda” podcast suggests that the answer is nuanced and encourages listeners to draw their own conclusions based on the episodes.
• How many people did Amanda deceive?
  Amanda conned 349 people into donating money under the pretense of her illness.
• Where can I listen to the “Scamanda” podcast?
  The podcast is available to stream in full on platforms that host Lionsgate Sound podcasts.