Former Federal Employee Pleads Guilty To Faking Cancer For Time Off

Sacramento, CA (AHN) - A former federal worker has plead guilty to fraud after faking cancer so he could take time off work. Federal workers all over the nation donated nearly 1,000 hours of paid leave so that the man could take time off work to receive cancer treatments.

Robert Joseph Thom, 45, of Oceanside, was an information technology specialist with the U.S. Geological Survey. He plead guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud. The charges carry a combined sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Thom signed up almost a year ago for a national donor list, claiming he had undergone multiple surgeries to remove malignant tumors. He forged letters from a doctor claiming he needed more time off for infections and a later letter claimed he'd developed a malignant brain tumor.

The fraud was discovered when Thom's real doctor was sent copies of the fraudulent letters. Thom has agreed to repay the cost of the donated paid leave. He's free on bond. He's no longer a federal employee.