If you spent any time on the internet over the last few years, you likely stumbled across the name Amanda Riley. Or maybe you heard the hauntingly detailed podcast Scamanda. It's a story that feels like a Hollywood fever dream, but for the people in San Jose, California, it was a living nightmare. People want to know the fallout. Specifically, are Amanda and Cory Riley still married after the web of lies finally unraveled in a federal courtroom?
The short answer is yes, as of the most recent public records and legal filings, they remain legally wed. But "yes" is a heavy word here. It carries the weight of a seven-year deception, a prison sentence, and a community left picking up the pieces of their own shattered generosity.
The Foundation of a Fraudulent Life
Amanda Riley wasn't just a casual liar. She was a professional. Starting around 2012, she convinced everyone—her church, her friends, her family, and thousands of social media followers—that she was dying of Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She shaved her head. She took "hospital selfies." She even documented her "treatments" at prestigious facilities like Mt. Sinai.
But it was all a ruse.
She was never sick.
While she was collecting over $100,000 in donations through her blog "Lymphoma-Can-Suck-It," her husband, Cory Riley, was right there. He was a principal at a local school. He was a father. He was the man standing by her side in the photos where she looked her most frail. This raises the question that haunts every true crime fan: how could he not know?
The Role of Cory Riley in the Scandal
When people ask are Amanda and Cory Riley still married, they’re usually trying to gauge his complicity. Throughout the federal investigation led by the IRS and the FBI, Cory’s name came up constantly. He appeared in the blog posts. He benefited from the money that paid for their lifestyle, their travel, and their daily expenses.
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Yet, Cory Riley was never charged with a crime.
That distinction is vital. In the eyes of the law, there wasn't enough evidence to prove he was a co-conspirator rather than another victim of Amanda's pathological deception. However, the court of public opinion is rarely as clinical as a federal prosecutor. Neighbors and former friends often point to the "co-parenting" of the lie. How do you live in a house with someone who says they are undergoing chemotherapy but never loses their appetite, never vomits from toxicity, and stays remarkably healthy for a terminal patient?
A Marriage Under Federal Scrutiny
During the sentencing phase in 2022, when Amanda was ordered to serve 60 months (five years) in federal prison, the stability of their marriage became a point of discussion. Often, in these high-profile fraud cases, the "innocent" spouse flees. They file for divorce to distance themselves from the social pariah status.
Cory didn't do that.
He remained present. He didn't issue a scathing public statement condemning her. He didn't run to the press to claim he was duped. That silence speaks volumes to some, while to others, it looks like a man trying to protect his children from the total collapse of their family unit.
Where Are They Now?
Amanda is currently serving her time. Federal prison isn't like the movies, but it's a long way from the suburban comfort of San Jose. She was also ordered to pay back $105,513 in restitution. That is a massive financial burden that rests on the family.
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As of early 2026, there have been no public filings for divorce in the California courts. Cory has largely retreated from public life, which is understandable. Being the spouse of the most famous "cancer faker" in recent history doesn't exactly make for a great LinkedIn bio. He's been focusing on their two sons, trying to provide some semblance of normalcy while their mother is behind bars.
Why This Marriage Defies Logic
Most of us would leave. If you found out your spouse had faked a terminal illness for nearly a decade—stealing from dying children and grieving parents—you’d likely have the papers served before the first news cycle ended.
So why stay?
- The Children: They have two boys. Splitting the family further during a national scandal is a lot for any parent to take on.
- Shared History: They were together long before the "cancer" started. Sometimes the person you remember is more real to you than the person the world sees.
- Legal Strategy: Staying married can sometimes offer protections regarding testimony or shared assets, though in a federal case, those shields are often thin.
Honestly, it’s also possible Cory believes her. Or at least, he believes she’s mentally ill rather than purely malicious. The line between a con artist and someone with Factitious Disorder (Munchausen syndrome) is incredibly blurry.
The Impact on the San Jose Community
The marriage isn't just about two people. It's about the "Riley" brand. In San Jose, they were a power couple in their small circle. Amanda worked at a church. Cory was an educator. When the truth came out, it didn't just break a marriage; it broke the community's trust in charity.
People who donated their hard-earned money felt foolish. Some even felt guilty for being healthy while they thought Amanda was dying. The fact that the couple stayed together after the revelation felt like a second slap in the face to some victims. It looked like a united front of deception rather than a victim and a perpetrator.
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What This Means for Future Cases
The Amanda Riley case is now a benchmark for "medical malingering" fraud. It’s taught investigators to look closer at social media footprints. It’s also a case study in "The Halo Effect," where we assume someone who looks "good" or "wholesome" couldn't possibly be capable of such calculated cruelty.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, there isn't much of one. But the case did lead to better vetting processes for some online fundraising platforms. It forced a conversation about the ethics of "sick-fluencing."
Actionable Takeaways for Donors
If you find yourself moved by a story like Amanda's, don't stop being generous. Just be smart.
- Verify with Documentation: It feels rude to ask for a doctor's note, but legitimate 501(c)(3) charities do this work for you. Donate through established organizations.
- Watch for Vague Details: Amanda often spoke in "cancer-speak" that sounded right but didn't actually make medical sense. If the details of the treatment change constantly or don't align with standard protocols, take a beat.
- Follow the Money: Direct GoFundMe pages are the easiest to exploit. Look for transparent accounting.
Ultimately, the question of whether are Amanda and Cory Riley still married is a human curiosity about the limits of loyalty. For now, the bond holds, at least on paper. Whether that bond survives the end of her prison sentence and the decades of social consequences that follow remains to be seen. The Rileys are a reminder that the most complex lies are often told in the most ordinary living rooms.
To protect yourself and your community, prioritize donating to registered non-profits where financial transparency is mandated by law. You can use tools like Charity Navigator or GuideStar to ensure your contributions are actually helping those in need, rather than funding a lifestyle built on fabrication. Monitoring the legal status of the Riley restitution payments through public court records can also provide updates on the ongoing efforts to make her victims whole.