An Ohio man who faked stage four brain cancer while helping to raise millions for charities fighting the disease was exposed as a fraud following a seven-year deception.
John Looker was a central figure in the Pelotonia charity bike riding community in Columbus, inspiring sufferers and their families alike with his apparent selfless commitment to others while undergoing grueling cancer treatment himself.
But, Looker, despite cycling thousands of miles with survivors and baking hundreds of cookies to raise money for the cause, was lying and had never suffered from the illness.
He was finally exposed when friends, colleagues and charity organizers confronted him at his Newark home where he broke down in tears and confessed – blaming his actions on a diagnosis of manic depression and bipolar disorder.
John Looker was a central figure in the Pelatonia charity bike riding community in Columbus, inspiring sufferers and their families alike with his apparent selfless commitment to others while undergoing grueling cancer treatment himself
Looker, despite cycling thousands of miles with survivors and baking hundreds of cookies to raise money for the cause, was lying and had never suffered from the illness
From 2011 to 2018 Looker was a spokesperson for Pelotonia, fundraising online and soliciting donations for them; he would sell cookies to help meet his goal for Pelotonia.
In his first year for Pelotonia Looker addressed the crowd on a large video screen.
‘Let me make this short and sweet,’ he said. ‘I have Stage 4 terminal brain cancer. I will ride tomorrow. And I won’t be making any excuses.’
Through what appeared to be his heroic actions, Looker developed a loyal following – dubbed Looker Hookers – who cycled hundreds of miles in his name, bought his cookies, worked at his yard sale and gave up their time to help him raise funds.
He was finally exposed when friends, colleagues and charity organizers confronted him at his Newark home where he broke down in tears and confessed – blaming his actions on a diagnosis of manic depression and bipolar disorder
It wasn’t just Decker who was suspicious. Close friends and colleagues began to wonder how this seemingly desperately sick man could continue to work, cycle, bake cookies and campaign while also undergoing therapy
‘He was always very sweet and charming,’ Joshua Platt, 45, a marketing executive and member of Looker’s brigade, told the New York Times.
At the time, Platt’s sister was fighting breast cancer and his mother-in-law had died with a glioblastoma tumor, the type of tumor Looker said he had.
Looker even reached out to families going through their own cancer journeys – offering to meet them in person and advise them on their tough times. But he raised the suspicion of one mother, who didn’t buy his social media stream of inspirational quotes and call to fundraising arms that plastered his Facebook.
When Looker offered to meet Erika Decker in 2014 she asked him who his oncologist was. The fraudster refused to say, claiming the last time he had divulged such information his oncologist had been bombarded with messages.
When Decker asked again, Looker unfriended her on Facebook.
It wasn’t just Decker who was suspicious. Close friends and colleagues began to wonder how this seemingly desperately sick man could continue to work, cycle, bake cookies and campaign while also undergoing therapy.
And then there was the wildly metastasizing cancer spots. His chest, head and pelvis would all be diseased – and usually right before the charity cancer ride.
Decker spoke with Michelle Merlino, who had worked with Looker at Continental Office, a furniture supply company.
From 2011 to 2013, Merlino was a Looker disciple, joining him on weekend rides and donating to his fund. But she too started to have doubts:
The police declined to pursue charges; according to a spokeswoman, there was not enough evidence
The pair took their concerns to Kelley Griesmer, Pelotonia’s chief operating officer – who in turn also had her own doubts.
However, regulations on patient privacy prevented organizers from questioning his doctor, and there was also no evidence that he had misappropriated charity funds.
‘He was ingratiating himself with riders without our request, and I was concerned by that,’ said Griesmer. ‘At the same time, I was, and am in, no position to say he was lying.’
Eventually, Merlino, Decker and a third suspicious party confronted him at his home, where he finally broke down and admitted what he had done.
He even admitted take petty cash handed to him for the charity and spending it on himself.
Looker confessed to keeping $800 to $900 because he was ‘strapped for cash.’
He said he had been given a diagnosis as ‘manic depressant and bipolar,’ which, he said, caused him to lie about the brain cancer.
The police declined to pursue charges; according to a spokeswoman, there was not enough evidence.
Pelotonia said in a statement: ‘Pelotonia had no reason to doubt the incredibly convincing ruse this individual invested in over the course of several years when he was featured by the organization in 2011.
‘It wasn’t until years later that actionable information surfaced and at that time, Pelotonia acted swiftly to refer the matter to law enforcement.’
‘While Pelotonia simply cannot independently verify what each individual participant says about themselves, Pelotonia has taken steps to verify the stories it shares with the community and is actively considering additional measures.’