PORT RICHEY, Fla. — A mother who solicited her neighbors for cash with the promise of a $500 prize was arrested Saturday and charged with leading an illegal lottery, authorities said.
Tina Marie Bell, 47, had her daughter fill mailboxes with letters asking residents to send $5 entrance fees for a chance at the winnings, according to a Pasco County Sheriff's Office report. All money was to be sent to Bell's home on Rainbow Lane.
A neighbor asked the Sheriff's Office if the lottery was a scam, and a deputy responded to Bell's home Saturday to find about 1,000 more of the letters ready for distribution. State law forbids personal lotteries.
Bell was released Saturday evening on $5,000 bail.
amazing what some people will do!!!
I'd bet that she's originally from Kentucky.
She's got that look, that Kentucky look.
The article mentions that it was a $500 prize. The video clip from the news media said it was $500,000.
Thank goodness the neighbor notified the Sheriff's Office of the alleged scam, saving herself and others money and embarrassment. These are hard times, but even so, the lack of morals and ethics should not be thrown out the window like yesterday's dishwater. I think her bail was set too low, $5,000 -- how about $500,000 or more to alert prospective scamers that this type of crime is serious and it will not be tolerated!
Oh , well people do bad things in there life time, hope she learn what she has done wrong.
Ok, your asking alot for the press to get the story right. --- LOL!!!
Having the play button for the video appear right over her nose makes her look like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
$ 5.00 a ticket,
Sounds more like a raffle instead of her own personal lottery.
Mommy that lady scares me!