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Local Nurse Pleads Not Guilty In Cancer Hoax

A central Ohio nurse who authorities say faked a diagnosis of lung cancer to obtain money and sick time has pleaded not guilty. 

33-year-old Tawni Fuller faces charges of telecommunications fraud, theft and forgery. Prosecutors say Fuller, a former nurse at OSU's Medical Center,  faked the diagnosis in 2016 and stole tens of thousands of dollars in sick time and thousands of dollars in cash, gifts and donated sick time from co-workers. Ohio Board of Nursing documents show Fuller acknowledged perpetrating the ruse last year. She said she fabricated the story because she was depressed and liked the positive response she received from co-workers. Delaware County Prosecutor say Fuller is free on her own recognizance. Her trial is scheduled to begin on October 9. 

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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