Sex offender wins $14 million Florida Lotto jackpot

Comment #48

pumpi76 — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 03:13:19 GMT

giving the number of sex offenders on the population my question is: What are the odds ..What are the odds that a sex offeder would win the lottery...Cases like this make me think sometimes that the lottery is corrupted which is not but it makes you wonder sometimes...

More important than winning the state's lottery is the movie Red Planet.. ...

Comment #47

justxploring — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 05:59:38 GMT

I agree. Sort of like that wild astronaut story. Both Letterman and Leno were talking about her in their monologues tonight. If she was just a housewife it probably wouldn't have made the news at all. Being a sex offender is a very serious crime (if in fact he is one) but I don't think this man would have gotten this kind of headline 10 years ago. If I were he, I'd do my best to get lost and lead a quiet life. I hope he uses this good fortune to clean up his life. If he is a pervert, I... [ More ]

Comment #46

RJOh — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 17:19:55 GMT

Use to be when a crime was reported concerning someone who had served their country in Viet Nam, it was also mentioned that they were a veteran of Viet Nam. I don't see that much any more because either those guys got too old for anyone to care or the new Iraq vets took their place.

I think the media just like to add those extra facts to a story to attract more interest. Jack Whitaker personal problems attracted a lot of national coverage that would have otherwise gone unnoticed had he no... [ More ]

Comment #45

hypersoniq — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 16:48:35 GMT

The bottom line is that he paid his debt to society...

As such, that part shouldn't have been mentioned. That is wreckless endangerment by the media.

Blame society for not extracting a higher debt. In my personal opinion, anyone who attacks a child, a senior citizen, or anone in a defenseless position should not be allowed back into the general public. But I don't make the rules. 23 months should have been 23 years... or more. The child won't get their innocence back, the offender shouldn... [ More ]

Comment #44

justxploring — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 19:14:17 GMT

Yikes! I'm not so sure I would want those kinds of restrictions. I have no criminal record, but why would I want anyone to be keeping track of how many lottery tickets I buy or where or when? Anyone can play the lottery who is over 18. In Florida many people from other countries buy tickets. Anyone can claim their prize as long as they have the proper documents. I'm sure many illegals or people with criminal records buy them too. I wonder what would happen to the FL lottery if everyone had to... [ More ]

Comment #43

RJOh — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 17:33:46 GMT

Hopefully stories like this will encourage more good and upstanding citizens to buy lottery tickets making the chances of someone with bad and low morales winning less likely. In addition lotteries could do more to limit the type of people allowed to buy tickets by requiring a criminal back ground check before taking their money.

Comment #42

SirMetro — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 17:25:57 GMT

Life is about assumptions. I don't care how you want to phrase it, present it, gift wrap it or spin it. Life is nothing more then a series of assumptions.

You go to bed at night and you naturally assume you will get up.

You go out to dinner and you naturally assume the food will be safe to eat.

You drive down the road and within a point of reason, you assume others on the road will obey the laws of the road.

My very job is nothing more then pure assumption. I assume that what I see w... [ More ]

Comment #41

Littlemanjen — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 16:27:21 GMT

Sorry to ruffle your feathers Brad...like you stated, ASSUMING is the key word here. You know what the word ass-u-me means? I wish every true sex offender would be put away for life and shown real sex offense from the boys in prison once they found out what they were in for. I'm serious because of exactly what happened in GA that was mentioned in this thread. My point is that no one should assume.

Comment #40

sirbrad — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 09:42:07 GMT

What should disgust you is the press who released it, not the opinions responding to it. Regardless of the facts involved, it is nonetheless still a sex offender. Unless you're saying that is a lie too? Well if it is he will benefit heavily from lawsuits as well, so it is win/win anyway. My opinion is based on the story, and assuming it is true. However I don't know this guy, nor will I ever meet him in real life.

So in reality I really could not care less. What disgusts me is you attitude... [ More ]

Comment #39

psykomo — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 04:03:13 GMT

thank you...sister for YOYO own

TESTICALMOMENT >>>

YOU are NOW a full FLEGE member of DE...............CHURCH of

what's happens

NEXT

Comment #38

justxploring — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 03:40:40 GMT

(I just deleted a long story about going parking with my boyfriend when I was 15. I figure I've taken up enough room here, although it was a night I'll never forget.)

Oops! That came out wrong. I'll never forget it because we got stuck in the mud and had to be towed.

Comment #37

psykomo — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 03:23:01 GMT

SEX........sell's

we see it in the MEDIA everyday!!!

but........shut-up<<<<<<<<<<

DON't..GO TO CHURCH

sit on your asset$$$

Little People ........

Comment #36

justxploring — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 19:12:29 GMT

Yup, he is definitely a low life, but the indecent assault was exposing himself and there were adults present. Obviously we aren't getting the whole story. I read a report that doesn't show any actual contact. I'm not defending this man and I agree with Sir Metro's attitude. I'd like all of the maggots who harm innocent people exterminated. Even if this man didn't commit a sex crime, he can just as easily murder a child while driving drunk. However, he won the lottery fair and square.

On... [ More ]

Comment #35

emilyg — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 18:12:46 GMT

FDLE records show Cowal is a registered sex offender and has a record of arrests for alleged offenses - lascivious or indecent assault upon a child, trespass, aggravated assault, driving under the influence, running from law enforcement.

sir metro - i'm with you.

Comment #34

SirMetro — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 17:57:05 GMT

The man I see looking at me in the mirror would first of all, make sure that NO child under any condition whatsoever is harmed emotionally, physically or mentally by any action I commit.

The law has labeled this individual as a sex offender , not those of us who blindly condemn him. If the truth becomes that he is as innocent as a case that occurred here in GA a few years ago, then I do offer up my apologies. In GA a few years ago, a young man was tried and found guilty of rape. The truth tu... [ More ]

Comment #33

SirMetro — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 17:45:57 GMT

My goodness Ms. Emily...I would have never assumed your thoughts could become this wicked...hopefully though...you would perform the procedure without anesthesia.

Comment #32

Littlemanjen — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 13:59:11 GMT

Shame on all of you for assuming how bad this guy was after reading the article. Sirbrad, your comments disgust me. Yes, I have didain for these sex offenders on innocent children, but labelling him before you know the facts behind it is simply astounding. You guys need to take a step back and look yourselves in the mirror. Compare him to Michael Jackson.........sheesh

Comment #31

KY Floyd — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 05:19:51 GMT

As far as we know he's not required to pay anything to his victims but that's only because they haven't won a lawsuit yet. The statute of limitations on lawsuits is typically 3 years, but for a minor whose parents don't initiate a lawsuit they have 3 years from the time they turn 18. as BobP notes, the criminal prosecution is a completely different matter.

I put victims in quotes because we don't reallly know what happened. Since the incident happened at a beach he may simply have been see... [ More ]

Comment #30

sirbrad — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 04:25:20 GMT

Further proof that there is no rhyme or reason in life, and acts of kindness are not always rewarded...maybe never. I am not one to believe in coincidences, but sometimes you have to wonder. Maybe everything is random afterall. Either way, at least now he will have a huge mansion for all the kids to come and sleep over at. He can continue where Michael Jackson left off, and also get sued for a few million as well.

Comment #29

BobP — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 03:56:33 GMT

Like the OJ case after the criminal trial the vicitim or their family can sue in civil court for damages. The fact the guy was found guilty makes it easier to win if time to file hasn't run out. BobP

Comment #28

TheGameGrl — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 01:54:52 GMT

I agree in part to JustExploring. THe ticket was won based on the criterea set forth in that lottery state. Be the claiment a former convict or not.

The Laws for *Civil* cases allot only 7 years to go after a CONVICTED sex offender for pain and suffering. This guy committed various crimes dating back to 1993. His lastest could have been the speeding ticket or disrupting the peace for all anyone knows ! The point is, without reading the court papers, getting the facts, its not appropriate to

Comment #27

cps10 — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 01:12:41 GMT

Interesting read, thank you for that. Sounds like he is getting a rougher label than as might be the case...I believe he will be off the hook, unless he owes the state money.

Comment #26

justxploring — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 01:03:30 GMT

I live in Florida. This is an article in my local paper. I'm not making excuses for this idiot, and he certainly has led a life of crime, but he isn't the child rapist/murderer that Couey or many of the others are. I just don't understand why he keeps getting such light sentences. I guess our jails are too crowded (with 21 year old rape victims) Exposing oneself to children is sick, but he could have been high on drugs. Again, no excuses. But I haven't read anything here that says he physi... [ More ]

Comment #25

cps10 — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:55:19 GMT

I am interested to see how this shakes down, because the guy is a sick bastard for what he did. But I get the feeling they are going to let him get out of there without paying monetary restitution. Listen to me...lol...I've been watching too much Michael Baldwin on the Young The Restless...

Comment #24

cps10 — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:52:03 GMT

Granted, the Justice System did not give him a harsh enough sentence...I mean this is a sick crime...however, it is what it is...he was freed and got lucky...that also is what it is...is bad for the victims' families, but the guy probably isn't legally obligated to paying them anything...although he probably should be morally obligated.

Comment #23

justxploring — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:51:19 GMT

As I've said over and over, we don't know exactly what this man did. However, if you go back to the first page of this post and look at one of my comments, there was a case in Missouri where the lottery winner had to pay restitution to his victim. So this is not as black white as you claim.

I can't get into the feeling guilty comment because I'll break my teeth from grinding them. We're not talking about stealing a car here. We're talking about violating a person.... [ More ]

Comment #22

cps10 — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:41:58 GMT

I agree Mike, he is or was very sick. However, he is not required to pay any of that money to the victims, you see what I'm saying? He got punished for his crime, served his time, got out, got lucky with a lottery ticket, and won. The crimes and the lottery win are completely unrelated.

Comment #21

cps10 — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:39:36 GMT

Again, probably not the most popular sentiment here, but unless the victims were awarded a cash award outside the debt to society that he has paid in jail, then they can't got after ANYTHING that he has made since he has been let out of prison. He could offer some money to the victims, and it would be a nice gesture, but he doesn't have to and shouldn't feel guilty about it (not giving them money).

Comment #20

LOTTOMIKE — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:27:54 GMT

anybody who harms children sexually or otherwise should be punished severely.no excuse for people going around messing with small kids who have no capacity to even understand whats going on.i think they should have a zero tolerance law against these sick individuals.this molesting stuff ain't a mistake its very bad.

Comment #19

emilyg — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:20:39 GMT

yep!!! or i can perform a very special sex change on this pervert.

Comment #18

BazookaJoe — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 23:48:50 GMT

Simple Man THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND

As far as I'm concerned there ain't no excuse

For the raping and the killing and the child abuse

And I've got a way to put an end to all that mess

Just take them rascals out in the swamp

Put 'em on their knees and tie 'em to a stump

Let the rattlers and the bugs and the alligators do the rest

Comment #17

Coin Toss — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 23:26:54 GMT

Hmm, perhaps he could be made to have a sex change operation, have to pay for it himself, (through the nose), and get to live out the rest of his life in some hell hole where women aren't regarded to highly.

The whole things smacks of where's the justice , going back to Justxploring's post about the girl who was violated being arrested while this guy wins.

Where indeed is the justice

Comment #16

justxploring — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 22:26:53 GMT

Duckman, it's happened. So maybe the victims of his crimes can sue him, although I don't think money will ever change their emotional trauma. Here's a great example (for Bev) of how the justice system is doing such a bang up job putting perverts away. This goes back to 2001 from the Associated Press.

LOTTERY WINNINGS TO GO TO MOLESTED GIRL

CLAYTON (MISSOURI): A man who won a $ 2.7 million lottery was ordered to give almost all of it to a girl he molested when she was six. The girl, n... [ More ]

Comment #15

justxploring — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:58:30 GMT

BevPicks, I was talking about throwing rocks at John Couey. I don't know what the lottery winner did or did not do. I don't trust the media, but if he hurt a child he doesn't deserve to be free to go out and do it again.

I am not upset but comments like the one below indicate to me that it is fruitless to continue this discussion.

As long as this man is not out committing more crimes against nature and people why can't folks just leave him alone? Let the justice system do their jobs... [ More ]

Comment #14

cv844 — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:42:10 GMT

Comment #13

BevsPicks — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:40:21 GMT

Justxploring, I understand your anger. However, there are no Big wrongs or Little wrongs. Wrong is wrong. I've never been in trouble with the law. But I am not perfect like some people. But my point is this I am in no position to condemn this man or anyone else. And getting upset isn't going to change a thing or deter anyone from their bad behavior. If someone threw a rock at you for every mean thing that you said, did, or thought in regards to someone else would you survive?

My... [ More ]

Comment #12

justxploring — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:22:42 GMT

First of all, RJOh, I never said life was fair or not fair. Fair is only a term that applies in baseball. I started my post by saying he won fair and square by playing the lottery and having the winning ticket. No argument about that, JAG331. The game is random and doesn't choose the winner by his or her past achievements or failures, thank goodness. We also do not know what this man's crimes really were. Some states label a person as sex offender if he's caught peeing in public, although he ha... [ More ]

Comment #11

emilyg — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:36:43 GMT

I'm with you on this Sir Metro.

Comment #10

SirMetro — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:24:34 GMT

I guess now...he can afford to buy a small island...hire a team of lawyers and get away with doing as he pleases to innocent children.

Sorry...but I believe the only penalty for sexually assualting a child should be the death penalty. Anything less is a crime towards humanity.

Hummm...wonder how many alligators he could feed...at least that would benefit the enviroment.

Oh...and for those bleeding hearts out there...anyone bother to ask the innocent child he sexually assualted if she (o... [ More ]

Comment #9

stavros — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:54:20 GMT

Amen, Sister

Comment #8

duckman — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:53:22 GMT

Real justice would be if those he has harmed could still file a multi-million dollar civil lawsuit against him for damages (physical and emotional). Now that he has assets, it should be payback time for those he preyed on...

Comment #7

BevsPicks — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:52:33 GMT

A very famous man once said, Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Comment #6

RJOh — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:36:27 GMT

It never seem fair to some people when someone else wins a lottery jackpot whether they are good or bad people especially if they are not giving any of it away.

Comment #5

JAG331 — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:19:50 GMT

Maybe this isn't very PC....but we all take our chances on the lottery. He bought a ticket and his number came up. End of story. Not good, not bad, not karma, not lack of karma. It just is what is.

Comment #4

DoubleDown — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 13:33:32 GMT

I'm with ya...

Comment #3

s5thomps — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:57:03 GMT

It just doesn't seem fair Just Exploring!!!!, I agree with you 100%, But you noticed how he had his attorney establish a trust to claim the winnings. He his protecting himself so he won't be sued for some of his money by the victims. But if had any kind of decency to him he should at least compenstate the people that he violated. It would never make amends for the damage he has done but at least it would show that he cared, But with Mr. Cowal claiming the winnings the way he did and disconnectin... [ More ]

Comment #2

justxploring — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:07:59 GMT

I guess this is one reason the lottery doesn't want to honor anonymity. Okay, he's a free man and bought the winning ticket, so he deserves to collect his prize. Like many others, I bought tickets for that game. I agree, s5thomps, that it would be nice if he turns his life around and maybe he will. But if he is really a sexual deviant, money won't change that compulsion. It will only give him more power and opportunity to commit these acts. He'll probably be taking a lot of vacations in Thail... [ More ]

Comment #1

s5thomps — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:17:05 GMT

I guess that you never know when your number is going to come up. I hope that my ship comes in on Saturday. I hope that he uses the money to turn his life around, Maybe pay some restituion to the victims.

Sex offender wins $14 million Florida Lotto jackpot

Lottery Post — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 05:34:40 GMT

Life has taken a startling turn for Edward R. Cowal.

Florida lottery officials announced Monday that Cowal, who is a state registered sex offender, was the sole winner of the $14 million lottery drawing from Jan. 13.

Cowal, whose name is on an eight-page record from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, elected to take a lump sum settlement of nearly $8 million before taxes. He purchased the ticket at the Cumberland Farms Store in Jensen Beach.

Cowal couldn't be reached for comment... [ More ]