Where Is Cory Riley Now: The Man Behind 'Scamanda'
Where is Cory Riley now? The question lingers like a shadow over the fallout from one of the most audacious frauds in recent memory. His wife, Amanda Riley, captivated and deceived thousands with a fabricated cancer battle that spanned nearly a decade, pulling in over $100,000 in donations. Yet while Amanda's story has been told in podcasts and docuseries, Cory's role remains shrouded in mystery — a man once at the center of a nationwide scam, now quietly raising two sons far from the public eye.
The Rise and Fall of a Fake Cancer Scheme
Amanda Riley's fake cancer saga began around 2012, when she launched a blog titled "Lymphoma Can Suck It," chronicling her supposed diagnosis and treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma. She claimed the disease struck her after the birth of her first son and later described her second son as a "miracle baby" born amid her treatment. Through social media, her blog, and a large church network, Amanda solicited donations, gifts, and free services, all under the guise of battling a life-threatening illness. She even shaved her head and staged hospital visits to make her story believable.
The scam unraveled after investigative producers and law enforcement dug into inconsistencies in her medical claims. Amanda was charged with wire fraud in 2020, pleaded guilty in October 2021, and was sentenced to five years in federal prison, in May 2022. She was ordered to pay $105,513 in restitution to her victims, a figure that reflects the scale of her deception.
Cory Riley: The Man Behind the Scenes
Cory Riley's life before Amanda's fraud was relatively private. He was previously married to Aletta Bernal, with whom he shares a daughter named Jessa. Aletta also had a daughter from a previous relationship who suffered from leukemia. Amanda initially entered Cory's life as a cheerleading coach for Aletta's daughter, a role that eventually led to a romantic relationship and marriage between Cory and Amanda.
During Amanda's fake cancer years, Cory worked as a fire sprinkler salesman, though he allegedly told some people he was a firefighter and professor, as reported by PEOPLE. He was also involved in a custody battle with Aletta over their daughter Jessa, reportedly using Amanda's supposed medical expenses as part of his legal strategy to reduce child support payments.
Did Cory Know About the Scam?
This is where the story thickens. Cory Riley has never publicly addressed whether he knew about Amanda's deception. However, those close to the case, including family members and investigators, reportedly suggest he was likely aware. Cory accompanied Amanda to medical appointments and was seen supporting her during hospital visits, which some interpreted as tacit approval or at least knowledge of the ruse.
Detective Jose Martinez, who investigated the case, expressed suspicion that Cory knew what was happening but acknowledged the difficulty in proving his involvement beyond a reasonable doubt, as reported by TV Insider. Spousal privilege and the lack of direct evidence meant prosecutors focused on Amanda as the primary target. Amanda's own public defender did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment in 2024.
Jessa, Cory's daughter from his previous marriage, also reportedly hinted at her belief that her father was aware of the scam. She described him as emotionally distant and "numb" during the years of Amanda's deception, often taking the children to hospitals to "prove" Amanda's illness, as reported by PEOPLE. This paints a picture of a man caught between loyalty and complicity, raising questions about his moral compass during the scandal.
Additionally, Aletta's sister Amie has expressed her belief that Cory knew Amanda was faking her illness, based on his presence during medical visits and his emotional support of Amanda's claims, as reported by PEOPLE.
Life After the Scandal
Following Amanda's arrest and conviction, Cory Riley retreated from the spotlight. In 2024, he filed for divorce, officially ending their marriage. As of 2025, Cory is reportedly living in Austin, Texas, where he is raising their two sons, Carter and Connor, away from the glare of public scrutiny. The family had moved to Texas before Amanda's guilty plea, after she lost her job as a principal at a Christian school in California.
Amanda was incarcerated at FMC Carswell, a federal prison in Ft. Worth, Texas. While her scheduled release date was October 15, 2026, she was transferred in December 2024 to a residential re-entry home in Southern California, a step in her sentence that allows for supervised reintegration but does not constitute full release.
Despite the public's fascination with Amanda's story, Cory has maintained a low profile, avoiding media interviews and social media presence. His life now seems focused on fatherhood and rebuilding a semblance of normalcy for his children, though the shadow of the scandal inevitably follows him.
The Moral Tension: Supporter or Accomplice?
Cory Riley's story is a study in moral ambiguity. Was he a devoted husband who was duped by an elaborate lie, or a complicit partner who chose silence over truth? The evidence is inconclusive, but the suspicion remains. Prosecutors never charged him, likely due to the challenges of proving his knowledge and involvement. Yet, those who knew the family suggest he was more than a bystander.
For you, the reader, this raises compelling questions about trust, loyalty, and accountability. How do you reconcile the image of a man who stood by his wife through a massive fraud with the possibility that he may have been an active participant? And how does one rebuild a life and raise children under the weight of such public distrust?
What's Next for Cory Riley?
As Amanda serves her sentence and begins the slow process of reintegration, Cory's future remains quietly unfolding in Texas. The divorce marks a clear break, but the emotional and social repercussions of the scandal will likely linger for years. Whether Cory will ever speak publicly or face legal consequences beyond the civil realm is uncertain.
For now, Cory Riley's story is one of retreat and resilience — a man navigating the aftermath of a scandal that captivated a nation, raising two sons in the shadow of a wife's deception. It's a reminder that behind every headline, there are complex human stories filled with unanswered questions and moral dilemmas.
References: Where Is Amanda Riley's Husband Now? All About Cory Riley's Life Today | 'Scamanda': Where Is Amanda C. Riley's Husband Cory Riley Today? - Business Insider | Where Is Amanda Riley's Husband Cory Riley Now? Update Amid 'Scamanda'
