There is really nothing more important than friends and family. A person who has close ties and strong relationships with friends and family is the lucky one. Life is all about close, interpersonal relationships.

Trust

I have always believed that never lie to anyone who trusts you, and never trust anyone who lies to you. That said meet Leron Magilner. He is total scum!

Claiming he had terminal cancer and only months to live, the 34-year-old managed to scam co-workers, friends and others out of approximately $11,000.

Magilner, who worked at the Wooden Indian Smoke Shop, is now behind bars charged with theft. He allegedly claimed to have concocted the scheme to get “emotional, moral and financial support” from friends.

Magilner’s scam began to unravel last week after he took a tumble and ended up at a local hospital, where he refused medical testing for his cancer.

Last week police received information from an employee of the Wooden Indian Smoke Shop that he suspected a former co-worker of committing fraud. The employee told investigators that back in March, Magilner announced that he was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer and would be dead within six months. Magilner allegedly used his Facebook page to perpetuate the hoax.

In early June, one of Magilner’s co-workers organized a benefit for Magilner at Casey's in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. The benefit brought in approximately $5,500. But instead of using the money for medical expenses, police say Magilner used it to pay his rent and utilities.

A second benefit was held at the Trevose Fire Hall on July 29 and raised another $5,500, police said. Magilner allegedly received $3,480 in cash after expenses were paid. Part of that money was raised through contributions of local business owners who donated items to be raffled or auctioned at the benefit.

Police allege that Magilner had a "bucket list" and has been getting people to finance trips by telling them that he is terminally ill.

The co-worker had already become suspicious of Magilner but became convinced he was not being truthful about his illness when he refused to have tests done at the hospital in reference to his pancreatic cancer.

Investigators obtained additional information that led them to the conclusion that Magilner’s illness was a fabrication. A search warrant for Magilner’s residents was obtained and executed. During that search, detectives located fraudulent documentation that Magilner had offered to his friends to show them he had pancreatic cancer.

Magilner surrendered to authorities on Thursday. He allegedly told detectives that he fabricated the hoax to gain emotional, moral and financial support from his friends. Magilner also allegedly admitted he used the money raised at the two benefits to cover his living expenses.

Magilnerwas arrested and arraigned on charges of theft by deception and identity theft. He remains at Delaware County prison in lieu of $20,000 cash bail.

Nice guy, huh? Stealing from friends and family is totally rotten. A Pennsylvania Theft Class Needed?