Will robber get to keep lottery jackpot?

Comment #28

tg636 — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 05:45:13 GMT

Here's the latest.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/12/08/lottery_hopes_to_pay_winnings_to_ex_convict/

> We would like to see him get his money, Dan Rosenfeld, a spokesman for the lottery, said yesterday. What we are talking about is the integrity of the game. He played the game. He won the game. The integrity of the game is very important to us. That's our business.

This is a good point. From a sales perspective, the lottery can't afford to have peo... [ More ]

Comment #27

masslottery — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 04:20:45 GMT

dummy

that's all i have too say

Comment #26

justxploring — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:50:38 GMT

Nanolike writes: Most crimes dont usually involve the state selling the very thing that causes a person to be labeled a criminal. He bought it from the State. Someone who buys drugs in otherwords buys it from an illegal drug dealer.

I guess you aren't familiar with all the alcohol related traffic deaths, rapes and murders. Buying alcohol is legal. It's also legal to buy a gun. We get our driver's licenses from the State and then people go out and kill someone by running a red light or dr... [ More ]

Comment #25

nanolike — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:48:48 GMT

There is a truth in the old song

I fought the Law and the, Law won!

Yet I think all people should be able to buy a ticket if the state is selling!

The probation rules should say, You can only buy lottery tickets and scratcher games from a state run office or retailer or legal state market, and only from the state! If you are found gambling illegally outside of buying from the state, it is a violation of your probation.

But that State criminalizing the public on probation is... [ More ]

Comment #24

four4me — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:01:27 GMT

When you are released from prison they set the rules by which you can live by until you are off of probation.

One of the things he was told was.

Under terms of his probation, he may not gamble, purchase lottery tickets or visit an establishment where gaming is conducted, including restaurants where Keno may be played.

While buying a lottery ticket isn't a criminal offense for most citizens he violated his probation when he tried to cash a wining ticket.

Comment #23

nanolike — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:28:33 GMT

You know what the strangest thing about this whole story/case is?

The very crime that he did was purchase something that the state aided in, in otherwords

Most crimes dont usually involve the state selling the very thing that causes a person to be labeled a criminal. He bought it from the State. Someone who buys drugs in otherwords buys it from an illegal drug dealer.

In this situation the drugs dealers were the State themselves selling the drugs(the ticket) But its legal for them to

Comment #22

Bradly_60 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:43:14 GMT

He should be able to keep his winnings but he should be punished for violating his parole.

Brad

Comment #21

dumars798 — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:11:02 GMT

Comment #20

go4it-andwin — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 04:00:20 GMT

Lets put it this way...this guy has more headaches by winning the lottery...i hope he is not spending it before he is sure it is his to spend..as we all know he is fighting the state of massachusetts...and the state very rarely loses! Im betting that the state is going to say that he knew about his gambling restrictions and there-for he shouldnt be entitled to the winnings!!!!!! Personally the only one whos coming out ahead of this mess is the lawyers at $300 per hour...Sad who the real crimin... [ More ]

Comment #19

tg636 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 04:49:46 GMT

It seems to me that violating probation should involve put him back in jail, not taking his winnings. If they do take his winnings, that is equal to a $1 million dollar fine, and I would think a lawyer could see if there is precedent for that among people on similar probation who are caught gambling being fined a similar amount or having their entire winnings taken. Does the probation say All gambling winnings shall be forfeited to the state ?

The other problem I have is that cases like th... [ More ]

Comment #18

HiYoSilver — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 13:40:08 GMT

The only ones that will get any money from this are the lawyers.

If it's determined he purchased and cashed the ticket illegally the money goes back to the state. But wait, they have a winning ticket and and no owner, who gets it now? Back to litigation

If it's determined it's ok for him to keep getting the money, then doesn't he owe for all the past free mental health care he's received? Back to litigation.

If the lottery commision determines that the ticket was illegal and tries to p... [ More ]

Comment #17

LotteryDegen — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 02:05:02 GMT

This is really lame if they take away his prize.

Comment #16

Stack47 — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:11:07 GMT

When mental illness is added into the equation.

Elliott was placed on five years' probation after pleading guilty in October 2006 to unarmed robbery

Maybe when he robbed that bank he used his thumb and forefinger as a make believe gun.

If he really knew that he couldn't buy lottery tickets, why did he buy one, win, cash it, and have his picture taken holding the check

Comment #15

go4it-andwin — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:37:03 GMT

I would think that this guy must have some sort of gambling problem that was recognized by massachusetts or it wouldnt be part of his probationary terms...could be he supported a gambling habit that cause him to rob that bank...hard to say.

Comment #14

KY Floyd — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 02:56:05 GMT

Time Treat make a really good point. Whatever crimes the guy has committed, taking away 50 grand a year in legitimate income isn't going to do much to reduce his interest in committing more crimes.

My guess is that after talking with his lawyer he'll remember that the lottery ticket was given to him as a gift. That would mean he didn't violate his probation, and gets to keep the winnings. Too bad there's nothing inthe article about when he alledgedly bought the ticket. My guess would be tha... [ More ]

Comment #13

ToadSchmode — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 02:48:10 GMT

And robbers are what..... shmart?

He should have kept his mouth shut! I heard some jealous a-hole ratted him out to the probation officer...

Snitches

Comment #12

LckyLary — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 02:03:03 GMT

And robbers are what..... shmart?

I think he may have a good defense that it is cruel and unusual punishment to forbid someone to play the Lottery.

Comment #11

hsvscubaski — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:14:02 GMT

It may be he robbed the bank to pay off gambling debts.

Comment #10

KyMystikal — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:39:53 GMT

At first I thought they might take the winnings but after reading this I think he may have a chance at keeping the winnings. if I was a lawyer I would probably take this take his case.

Comment #9

ThatScaryChick — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:36:26 GMT

I'm going to guess that he will end up losing the money. Whether or not anyone thinks he should have had the no gambling terms written in his probation, he still broke his probation. I agree with the poster above that he probably should have had a family member of friend cash his winnings if he was going to play at all.

Comment #8

time*treat — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:53:04 GMT

I'm never in favor of probation terms that have nothing to do with the crime committed. It's just a way of controlling people beyond their initial punishment .

He is more likely to cause fewer problems with a $50,000 income a year than nothing. But of course the fewer people under the care of the mental hospitals(sic) or the prison systems would necessitate fewer of those systems and jobs they create.

Comment #7

Jake — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:30:59 GMT

When this hit the wire, I had an immediate impression related to mental illness, which the media reports elude to. They do not give the detail on whether this gentleman has a DPOA, guardian, court-appointed advocate, etc. The obvious issue here is as already pointed out - clearly court-order prohibited from gambling, so he gambles and goes on to cash a big winning ticket. I think the issue may be a little more complicated than face value. If he is functioning in the population but mentally i... [ More ]

Comment #6

konane — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:04:20 GMT

He obviously didn't read his probation fine print about what you're not permitted to do.

Bet the state will confiscate it as restitution, or under the statute of money seized during the commission of a crime.

Comment #5

Todd — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:48:48 GMT

Great comments

Comment #4

ochoop17 — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:56:54 GMT

He rob the bank and the court rob him. Even Steven

Comment #3

go4it-andwin — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:50:27 GMT

Im curious to see what happens to this guy... Im wondering if probation dept is going to let him have his prize... I wouldnt be the least bit suprised if they take it from him..because he wasnt suppost to be gambling in the first place... If i were him...i would have my brother cash in the winning card...now he could be headed back to jail.. with no defense but guilty as charged...i guess the lottery payed off better than bank robbery...this guy dont have much luck at all if you think about it.... [ More ]

Comment #2

NITEHAWK61 — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:25:31 GMT

should have been a Santa Claus

Comment #1

nanolike — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:09:46 GMT

This just goes to prove that bank robbers just aren't very smart!

I watched a show on tv about bank robbers once and they said that 85% of all bank robbers get caught. So if you aint part of the 15% that didnt get caught your gonna get busted.

So take robbing banks off your career choice list I'd say!

Career choices

1. doctor

2. lawyer

3. Deli owner

4. robbing banks

Why didn't he just have someone else collect the money for him, o yeah I already answered t... [ More ]

Will robber get to keep lottery jackpot?

Lottery Post — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:23:18 GMT

The winner of a $1 million lottery scratch ticket may not be so lucky after all: He's a convicted bank robber who isn't supposed to gamble.

Timothy Elliott faces a Dec. 7 court hearing over whether he violated his probation when he bought the $10 ticket for the $800 Million Spectacular game at a supermarket in Hyannis.

Elliott was placed on five years' probation after pleading guilty in October 2006 to unarmed robbery for a January 2006 heist at a bank on Cape Cod. Under terms of his pro... [ More ]