Police: Havertown Man Charged In Cancer Fraud

Haverford Township Police say that Leron Magilner lied to people that he had pancreatic cancer so he could receive thousands of dollars from fundraisers to help pay for his alleged medical costs and housing.

In an email to the media early Thursday evening, Haverford Township Police issued a press release that stated that the 34-year-old Havertown man had allegedly conned more than $8,000 to help pay for rent and utilities after telling people that he would die in September of this year due to cancer.

Police discovered the alleged fraud after an employee of the Wooden Indian Smoke shop informed them on Thursday, Aug. 11, that back in March of this year Magilner, who was working at the Havertown store at the time, announced that he was allegedly dying of cancer, stated the press release.

Magilner allegedly posted on Facebook about his supposed illness, the press release stated. A person with a Facebook account accredited to a Leron Magilner, a Havertown resident and employee of the Wooden Indian Smoke shop, mentions having pancreatic cancer on his Facebook profile page.

“I am dying of Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer which started last year in Nov with testicular cancer and spread like a wildfire. The cancer is now in my spine with 4 tumors in my brain and one on my heart. One of the brain tumors is pressing hard on the pain centers of the brain and causing me to feel even more pain then I normally would which is bad enough. They have given me until Sept of this year,” the person wrote on the Facebook account.

The press release stated that because of Magilner’s alleged cancer claim, many people helped raise money for him.

“A fellow employee at the Wooden Indian Smoke shop organized a benefit for Magilner to raise money for his expenses which was held at Casey's in Upper Darby Township on June 4th, 2011 approximately $5,500 was raised which has been used to pay Magilner's rent and utilities. A second benefit was organized by another friend of Magilner. This benefit was held at the Trevose Fire Hall in Bucks County on 7/29/2011. The second benefit raised approximately $5,500 with Magilner directly receiving $3,480 in cash after expenses were paid,” the press release stated, which can be seen below the picture.

The press release stated that Magilner fell at the rear of the Super Fresh in Havertown on Wednesday, Aug. 10, and was taken to Delaware County Memorial Hospital, where he allegedly refused any tests conducted in reference to his supposed cancer.

Police discovered alleged fraudulent documentation that Magilner used to show friends that he had cancer and detectives “were provided with documentation that showed Magilner was not suffering from pancreatic cancer or any other terminal illness,” the press release stated.

After meeting with police Thursday, Magilner allegedly admitted that he lied about having cancer and allowed fundraisers to be held for him and collecting thousands of dollars in donations, according to the press release.

Magilner was charged with theft by deception and identity theft and was arraigned at district court and transported to the Delaware County Prison. He could not post $20,000 of his bail, the press release mentioned.