Hero or hacker? Pelotonia investigates potential cancer faker

Pelotonia hero or Pelotonia hacker?

That’s what the charitable cycling organization benefiting cancer is trying to find out when it comes to one participant who may have faked his battle with brain cancer.

Pelotonia released a statement Wednesday saying people close to the individual recently “came forward to allege that not only has he never had cancer, but also that he may have kept some cash donations for his own use.”

“It is understandable that members of our community are very upset by this,” said Doug Ulman, Pelotonia President & CEO, in a statement. “We, too, find the allegations deeply troubling, and that’s why we are doing everything we can to determine the facts.”

The man was even featured in at least one Pelotonia video talking about his condition.

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Other riders cited him for being their inspiration for riding, calling him the “face of Pelotonia” and “a hero,” reports The Dispatch.

The Columbus Dispatch did not release his identity because allegations are still being investigated.

Rumors about a person misrepresenting themselves as a cancer survivor began whirling back in 2015.

Pelotonia did not tell donors as it was all speculation at that point but did cease from showing that individual in promotional materials.

More recently, Pelotonia has referred the matter to the Charitable Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office after people close to the person have come forward with firsthand knowledge of his fraudulent activities.

Pelotonia said they will will take any and all appropriate actions, as they continue to learn the facts.

As a cancer survivor myself, I find it disheartening and unimaginable that someone would misrepresent himself in this way, and so I am loath to accuse anyone of faking cancer survivorship without very convincing evidence,” said Ulman.

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