Woman who married 14 men in Las Vegas fraud scheme to plead guilty
Jiaying Chen, 33, has consented to plead guilty to two felony charges: bigamy and fraud involving over US$100,000. Authorities allege that in Las Vegas, she wed more than a dozen men to support her gambling addiction. Chen reportedly solicited funds from victims, claiming they were needed for a sick relative in China, but instead used the money for gambling. On Tuesday, she waived her right to a preliminary hearing before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Rebecca Saxe. Her attorney, Thomas Wells, indicated that she intends to enter her plea later this week. Chief Deputy District Attorney Austin Beaumont noted that the plea agreement would allow victims to file restitution claims. Chen was initially arrested in 2024 for multiple counts of bigamy and theft. An arrest report reveals that between March 2019 and May 2024, she submitted 14 marriage applications to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau, resulting in seven marriage certificates. After being released on bond in 2024, she subsequently vanished.
Key facts
- Jiaying Chen, 33, agreed to plead guilty to bigamy and obtaining money under false pretences over US$100,000.
- She married at least 14 men in Las Vegas to fund gambling, authorities say.
- Chen allegedly asked victims for money for a sick relative but used it for gambling.
- She waived her right to a preliminary hearing before Justice of the Peace Rebecca Saxe on Tuesday.
- Her lawyer Thomas Wells said she will plead guilty later this week.
- Chief Deputy District Attorney Austin Beaumont said the plea deal allows victims to seek restitution.
- Chen was first arrested in 2024 on multiple counts of bigamy and theft.
- From March 2019 to May 2024, she submitted 14 marriage applications, resulting in seven marriage certificates.
Entities
Institutions
- Metropolitan Police Department
- Clark County Marriage Licence Bureau
Locations
- Las Vegas
- China
- Clark County