Uh...it is MY ticket....yeah...thats it...MY TICKET!

Uh where do I go to get the money?

frankly..thanks for the morning chuckle

I am speculating that the crook scams people money but knowing that he will/might get caught. So he used the loot $$ to buy all/most combination of the lottery. He formed a trust to cash out the lottery and then "donate" the winning to an independent charity (that he found). After all the bankruptcy proceeding and perhaps jail time, he can restart his life with the fund from the proposed charity. Since the charity is independent from his personal gain, it is not subject to legal collection/restitution.

Obviously the winner is on the lam from the feds and everybody else, and is NOT going to give up ANY info.

it says why he didn't except the lottery... he owes 100million so that 14.5million would go away and he would be stuck paying the taxes...

Yet Romney paid more taxes than all the guys who sell tickets in all 50 states, combined.

He also made more money then God.

He also made more money then God.

No, check the dividends and bonuses that many CEOs were paid last year, many who work for companies that were bailed out using taxpayer dollars.

Bluelake,

There are treatments for OCD. Lobotomies for you, and any others who approved your post.

Geeeez, get a life!

Rommey paid his taxes and paid it accordingly to the law thus no wrong doing.

Raising capital gains to 30% will only hurt investments and jobs. I guess class warfare people don't care about the poor or creating jobs just being envyous of other peoples money and accomplishments is all thats important.

Raising capital gains 30% will only hurt investments and job.....BS Again BS!!! No how, no way is someone that is getting a return on their investment would miss the 30%. What has all this tax dodging done FOR the country? The rich have been getting over since Reagan's Trickle Down theory and @!$%# has not gotten better.

How about people pay what is fair and we take this 15 Trillion dollar debt down a bit?

So...who figures what is "fair"?

Another good point re cap gains taxes that NEVER gets through to the libs. These investments can and often do lose money. There are no guarantees. Just another reason why it's economically smart to keep the tax rate low. Also the fact that many investments take place over many years and/or decades. So don't forget inflation.

Mosineur, doesn't get that part. They seem to imply that investment is the same as guaranteed returns....so naive.

So...who figures what is "fair"?

Well, IMO that fact that EVERYONE pays the same rate on Cap Gains IS FAIR.

Raider-

Another good point re cap gains taxes that NEVER gets through to the libs. These investments can and often do lose money.

While I will agree with you in principal-you seem to have the GOPer Virus of omitting the obvious. That ROMNEY and all CAP GAINs holders are allowed to use the LOSS as a tax credit.

Geesh--Only the facts that fit the rhetoric!! Typical.

Good deal. Put the screws to the rich. Do not give them any incentive to invest their money. Heck, all they do is take their money and buy machinery, build factories, re-tool their existing businesses. None of those investments employs people anyway, right? Will someone invent an app for libtards? It should be economics for dummies.

how many of you people even get capital gains that you have to pay taxes on and if you have any then why are you only paying 15% on those capital gains instead of 30% or whatever you think it should be.

Do you think that all millionaires and billionaires should pay extra because they are rich or because you are not?

To all the people out there bitching about tax laws and how the rich dont pay enough, get a freaking job or STFU. This country has always been about the American Dream, you know work hard and you will be rewarded. This isnt the county of the American handout like you so want. Dont do a damn thing and expect the people who have worked hard to take care of you. I am sure that if ANY OF YOU won the lottery tomorrow and started t oahve to pay higher taxes you would now be the ones who would not want to pay higher taxes. Funny how that works. I for one will go out and work hard for what I EARN... and not expect handouts. And I will be damned if I am paying for your lazy azz. For all I care you liberals could fall over dead... I would sleep better at night.

That ROMNEY and all CAP GAINs holders are allowed to use the LOSS as a tax credit

Yes they get to claim a max of $3000 per year as a loss, Hardly worth mentioning when your loss is in the millions.

CAP GAINs holders are allowed to use the LOSS as a tax credit.

Geesh--Only the facts that fit the rhetoric!! Typical.

@BethanyB...of course they do. However you're just adding YOUR own rhetoric by making it seem like they get their money back by using the term "credit". THEY STILL LOSE THE MONEY! You really think tax adjustments/credits make up for a total loss? BTW....you're losses are CAPPED, unlike your gains.

LostInThePineBarrens makes a GREAT POINT.

But any unused losses over the $3,000 limit can be offset against any subsequent profits for future years.

the argument that investment money has already been taxed is not right either, since the cap gains tax is only being attached to the profit made on the invenstment and not to the original amount invested.

you are all greedy and not real bright.

But any unused losses over the $3,000 limit can be offset against any subsequent profits for future years.

True, but you really should take that a step further. If an investment loses $100K (which is really minor league in big scheme of things). How many years will it take at $3K a year?

the argument that investment money has already been taxed is not right either, since the cap gains tax is only being attached to the profit made on the invenstment and not to the original amount invested.

I don't think ANYONE is arguing to NOT pay a tax on cap gains...rather just explaining how greedy Uncle Sam can be when it comes to taxing in general. If I take my AFTER tax money and invest it...is it fair to tax it again at INCOME tax levels? Considering the potential for total loss? IMO, I don't think so.

@Thom 661865..............really ??? "work hard and be rewarded" or

"have ancestors that robbed and stole and bootlegged and lobbyied aka (bought off Congress) " to get rich.........Kennedys, Henry Flagler, Collier, Hearst, Dick Cheney and Halliburton, etc.

Or you can be a Walton and have sessions at Walmart that teach the employees how to fill out the paperwork to get on public assistance because Walmart's minimum wage and lack of health insurance keeps you from ever getting ahead. Yeah go go go you hard working rich people !!! Oh, and don't forget the FARM BILL that sends millions of taxpayer dollars in subsidies to rich people who live in penthouses in New York !!!

Rich Republicans are sooooo good at getting middle class Americans to vote against their own best interests, do you really think Rush Limbaugh gives a crap about the middle class .

Is so sad that most people forget that most Americans pay their taxes in the 30+%. Is this fair? you decide! The problem is when the riches pay less then 15% and still cry about it, to me is not right! The way I se it. If I making money is because I live in a great country that is given me the opportunity to make that money, regarles of how much I make, the least I can do is pay my share of taxes. Think a little what your taxes are for: schools, roads, firefighters, police, 911 service, clean water etc. Have you ever been in a place were they do not have this reliable services? You may think different if you experience it, not for few days but for a long time. I sure there is waste in thse programs, but cuting them when the economy is bad not a very great idea. Fix the tax code to fair for every body first!

Americans paying cash for services are just contributing to the problem. Paying immigrants in cash, then complaining that they’re taking advantage of social services without paying taxes is beyond hypocritical. As a San Diego resident, I see this all too often…

And thank-you Missy-2451714! Hard work is only a small part of the equation. There are so many community college students struggling to pay tuition, while still working full-time. The probability of a middle- or lower-class, first-generation college student becoming a millionaire compared to an affluent, second+++ generation college student is significantly lower.

Considering 30% of Wal-Mart employees are on welfare, and without healthcare, tax dollars are basically subsidizing Wal-Mart’s profits. Yet, there’s only a small minority of Wal-Mart boycotters, myself included. (Stepping off my soapbox now…) Sadly, Wal-Mart is the only option for many rural towns.

Here's a quick history lesson:

1. Back in the 1990s when the economy was doing well, the capital gains tax stood at 20%. Before Clinton took office, it was 28%.

2. During America's "Golden Age" (1940 to 1970) the tax rate for the wealthiest citizens was as high as 90% and never lower than 70%.

So this idea that taxes for the rich have to be insanely low in order for the economy to recover is BS. Yes, in some circumstances, slight, temporary tax relief can stimulate growth. But right now, the Bush tax cuts have not stimulated more investment. The rich are simply stuffing their tax savings into bank accounts or spending it on hyper-luxury goods. And those tax cuts are contributing greatly to our national debt and requiring painful cuts to social services.

Yes, rich people make investments into companies by buying stocks. But they make those investments to make money, not to help companies buy new equipment or hire more employees. In fact, 'vulture' capitalists like Romney 'invest' in companies in exchange for those companies actually cutting employees and equipment to increase their profit margins and generate higher dividends for stockholders. And once they make enough money, they can just sit on their butts and pay a broker to keep investing money for tens of millions in returns, taxed at 15%. No innovation or hard work required there.

This issue has nothing to do with jealousy and everything to do with fairness and practicality. If you receive all of your income from investments, why shouldn't it be taxed like income? If the middle and lower classes are required to work hard for their money, why shouldn't the wealthy? If the average worker is denied a pay raise or bonus for doing a crappy job, why shouldn't the same apply to CEOs? If the government is going broke, why not ask those who can afford it to give up what was meant to be a temporary tax break, especially when they have benefited most from the government's policies in the past 30 years? If public officials and CEOs are guaranteed pay raises every year, why shouldn't the average worker get the same? As of now, the average worker hasn't received a real cost-of-living pay raise in three decades! And we wonder why nearly half the country doesn't qualify to pay income taxes! Does this sound like a good economic arrangement?

Is so sad that most people forget that most Americans pay their taxes in the 30+%. Is this fair?

This is just NOT true. Fact is around 45% of Americans pay no federal taxes.

The problem is when the riches pay less then 15% and still cry about it,

The 15% tax is for Capital Gains ONLY. Furthermore we ALL pay the same 15% rate on cap gains. Regardless of income level. To say that the "rich" only pay 15% is specific to their capital gains tax. You need to read up on the Cap Gains Vs Income tax, b/c you are confused.

Back in the 1990s when the economy was doing well, the capital gains tax stood at 20%. Before Clinton took office, it was 28%.

MORE PROOF that lower cap gains taxes spurs growth, job creation and opportunity.

So this idea that taxes for the rich have to be insanely low in order for the economy to recover is BS.

Granted our tax code is complicated but remember...the CEO making millions in INCOME pay close to 40% in fed taxes on said income. In addition to that their CAPITAL GAINS are taxed at 15%. PLEASE PEOPLE get some insight into the difference between INCOME TAX and CAP GAINS TAX.

Yes, rich people make investments into companies by buying stocks. But they make those investments to make money, not to help companies buy new equipment or hire more employees.

Buying stocks is just ONE type of investment vehicle. There are many others. And those companies DO USE that investment money to buy equip & hire ppl. You're statement couldn't be more flawed (no offense).

To say the rich (and I'm just a working stiff BTW) ONLY pay 15% taxes is WRONG and frankly makes you look ignorant of the facts.

Raider, you pretty much cherry-picked two statements I made, completely misinterpreted them, and then assumed I don't know the difference between income tax and capital gains tax. I'm very well aware of the difference, and I NEVER said that the rich ONLY pay 15% in taxes. Re-read my post. It isn't in there.

However, there are a few insanely wealthy individuals (like Mitt Romney and Warren Buffet) whose annual 'income' comes almost entirely from capital gains. So in that case, they would (and do) only pay 15% in taxes.

Yes, companies sometimes use money from investments to hire employees and update equipment. But that's not the reason investors give their money. They give their money expecting a RETURN on that investment in the form of dividends, stock options, etc. If they couldn't profit from it, they wouldn't do it. That's what I was saying.

Also, the top income tax rate is currently 35%. 35% is not 40%.

And just because the economy did well during a time of lower taxes on capital gains doesn't mean the economy did well for only that reason. That's confusing correlation with causation. There has to be a clear, discernible link between lower taxes and economic growth to claim it as evidence. The economy did well before Clinton took office, which would be proof that a 28% capital gains tax didn't do much to stifle growth. We've had a 15% capital gains tax since W. Bush was in office. No one can claim the economy has done spectacularly since then.

The economy after Bush's tax cuts help offset the 5 trillion in losses from the DotCom recession + 9/11 and help fund two wars.

As early as 2002-2005 Bush's team started to look at the problems of GSEs and the Liberals like Maxine Waters , Barney Franks , Greggory Meeks , Aurthur Davis , Lacy Clay , and Harry Reid killed what could have saved or lessened the blow of the 2008 great recession.

just watch this report Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Hearings 2004: www. youtube.com/watch?v=LPSDnGMzIdo

www. youtube.com/watch?v=Yga7TlsA-1A

Economy humming along at 5% which is full employment but the DEMs who stonewalled congress from regulating the GSEs and pushing banks to give a loan to anyone who could fog a mirror was a major downfall of this country.

The top income tax rate is 35% + 7-11% state which is over 40%

also mentioned earlier 70-90% rate in the 50s also had loopholes you could drive a rolls royce thru too.

I NEVER said that the rich ONLY pay 15% in taxes. Re-read my post. It isn't in there.

@AKelsey....And I NEVER said YOU said it. Sorry for any confusion. That quote came from Ade25 a post or two before yours I believe.

But the real point was that MANY liberals are saying JUST that. I wasn't trying to insult you but please lets keep this real....you'd have to agree that there are NUMEROUS ppl on here saying just that. Showing that THEY (not you) DON'T know the difference.

The economy after Bush's tax cuts help offset the 5 trillion in losses from the DotCom recession + 9/11 and help fund two wars.

what a freaking joke , the bush idiocy tax cuts didn't fund jack spit

and I suppose that the entire dot com recession was the fault of clinton and had nothing to do with the republican controlled congress?

everything that bush and the republicans did was holy writ and can't be questioned for its infinite wisdom, and all that comes from democrats is the spawn of evil and satan, right?

you should listen to yourselves sometime, its ridiculous. for the entire six years that the republicans were in complete control, all that went wrong was the fault of Clinton, no matter what it was. the very second that the democrats got a majority, and even before they actually took office, suddenly everything magically became the fault of nancy pelosi and the democrats, and once obama got elected, all became his fault, again before even getting into office.

it becomes very clear that to many on the right, "personal responsibility" actually means "find someone else to blame"

Danwill it takes about 1 year for policies that the congress pass to effect the economy.

Rep congress losses in 1998 Dems take over in 1999 Dotcom hits little over 1 year later

Rep congress replaced by DEMs in Senate and House in 2007 and 2008 recession hits

Balanced budgets and welfare reform 1996 due to REPs

Killing the regulation on Mae and Mac from 2002-2005 DEMs

Overspending like drunk salors DEMs

If you want video of DEMs saying the failed GSE were doing great and everyone in america should own a home I can supply it for you.

it becomes very clear that to many on the right, "personal responsibility" actually means "find someone else to blame

No thats Obama and the liberals moto, they shiit in thier own bed then blame it on the dog.

Dems take over in 1999 Dotcom hits little over 1 year later

what a load of delusional, revisionist shyte, the dems NEVER "TOOK OVER" in 1999. you obviously have been having your brain dissolved by too much right-wing talk radio bullspit. the republicans were in full control of the house and senate in 1999-2001. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/106th_United_States_Congress

look it up, the closest that they came to "taking over" was an even 50-50 split in the Senate in 2001 with a REPUBLICAN majority in the house AND the Presidency, and even that even split only lasted a single year

Killing the regulation on Mae and Mac from 2002-2005 DEMs

yet the republicans were still in full control of both houses and the Presidency, so tell me how that works again?

Balanced budgets and welfare reform 1996 due to REPs

with Clinton in the president's seat. the same Clinton that idiot Gingrich was wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on trying to prove that the president got a BJ, while Gingrich himself was cheating regularly

My bad should have checked my facts better Newt left as speaker in 1998 got election on the brain.

Wiki is a nice source lets use some info from that

Balanced budgets and welfare reform 1996 due to REPs

with Clinton in the president's seat. the same Clinton that idiot Gingrich was wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on trying to prove that the president got a BJ, while Gingrich himself was cheating regularly

positive impacts of the government shutdown included the balanced-budget deal in 1997 and the first four consecutive balanced budgets since the 1920s. ~~~~wiki

I forget that REPs were in control when so many liberal left wingers were stalling GSE talks then later flip flopped like a fish on the deck of a boat.

examples:

www. youtube.com/watch?v=y4A0RuXhnQA

www. youtube.com/watch?v=cMnSp4qEXNM

www. youtube.com/watch?v=8h8kHabBAow

John, you realize capital gains taxes were 30% prior to the 80's. And yet, the US economy was booming. in the 80's it began dropping, and jobs began to leave. not saying they are connected, but, yeah, i'm saying the two aren't connected.

do i think democrats are blameless? absolutely not. but the "it's all the other party's fault" routine is ridiculous. bush fouled up by lowering taxes when we couldn't afford it.

do we need to make real cuts in the budget? yes, but we need to raise taxes also. the problem is that a massive cut in federal spending would be the equivilant of yanking an equal amount of money entirely out of the economy, something that the far right seems to miss entirely. if you make a sudden, massive cut in spending, you will kill a corresponding number of jobs and have the ripple effects for all that rely upon those federally paid jobs or the loss of rental income/grocery income from welfare/retiree incomes etc, etc.

if we do things too quickly we could fall into a full-scale depression, and if we move too slowly we may never pull out

danwill..sorry, but you are an idiot. there really is no other way to put that. Lowering taxes got the US out of he mess that he inherited in 2001. Remember 2000? The economy took a bigger tumble in 2000 than it did in 2009. Why? Because the 90s economy was based on fictional profits from the internet.

Just so you know since you obviously don't have a functioning brain...no nation has EVER taxed itself out of a recession.

The economy took a bigger tumble in 2000 than it did in 2009.

no, it wasn't nearly as bad, this was a much deeper contraction, with a much harder hit on tax revenue.

Why? Because the 90s economy was based on fictional profits from the internet

you mean like the fictional increases in home prices.

...no nation has EVER taxed itself out of a recession.

first, technically we aren't in a recession anymore, the richest are making their money just fine and sucking up the entire 2% gdp growth all for themselves

second, our budget deficit is currently at 1.1 trillion, what do you think the effect of yanking 1.1 trillion out of circulation in the economy would be? please tell me what you really think would happen.

if you say "it's a good thing" show me three respectable economists that agree with that.

I'm not too sure about him being a criminal worrying about capture, unless he knows that he'd be in for a very lengthy sentence if caught ... like the rest of his natural life

So this must be a criminal with no friends or relatives that could have either cashed it for them or had it given to them outright??????

If it is a criminal and he/she was too stupid to figure out a way to get this money I'm surprised he/she is still free. I'm leaning toward the lawyer especially with the down to the wire claim. Although his intelligence must also come into question because he wasn't smart enough to suggest anything to his supposed client.

Must be one wealthy SOB to let 14 million get away.

He couldn't give it to family or friends because he/she signed it with a company name. The attorney can't claim it for the same reason.

I just re-read the article. The attorney messed up. The attorney signed the ticket, not the client, and he misspelled the company name. He could have signed it with his own name and collected the money. In this case, honesty didn't pay.

Let me correct that ... If I was offered 14 million dollars on the spot, but the catch was I had to get my throat cut 24 hours later and slowly bleed out, I would so take it ... and I think there's a lot more people who would do it, even though they wouldn't admit it if not confronted with such an offer...

or maybe he's a billionaire with a conscience ...

...a billionaire with a conscience...

Now there is an oxymoron if I've ever seen one.

Nevertheless, if he is rich and has a conscience, it's better to claim the prize and give it to a charity than to let some loser claim it and blow it on cars, drugs, McMansions, etc., and end up with nothing, as is the case with many lottery winners.

What would you do with it? You'd be dead!

Jaysoner1:

So what the hell would be the point?!? You get 14 million for one day, and then you suffer a slow, hideous death such as the one you described? You wouldn't be able to spend that money in one day, and what you did manage to buy, you wouldn't be able to enjoy it! I hope that you are joking. And no, not too many people would be that STUPID to accept such an offer. Again, I hope you were just joking!

You must not have read the part that says the person signed the ticket with a company name instead of his/her name and that he/she has fled the country due to criminal activity.

Either you are foolish or fooling us. What good would the money do you if you know you will immediately die? Keep the money, I'll choose life...

Actually William it is you who has missed something.

Nowhere does it say that Shaw is a criminal, it say he was associated with criminal proceedings and a bankruptcy. Having testified in court on a number of cases as an expert witness I have 'been associated with criminal proceedings" Going bankrupt is not a crime. Nor does the article state that he was the one who looted the company in the fraud case. Since he is still an attorney it is unlikely that he has been found (yet) to have engaged in criminal activity. If he had he would have been disbarred and no longer be an attorney.

Shaw, the attorney, signed the ticket in the name of the trust. The article does not say Shaw has 'fled the country' He has not, he is in Des Moines. He represents someone who is in Belize--Shaw is in the US. Since he even says he does not know the name of the holders of the trust, you do not know that they are in Belize because of criminal activity or that they 'fled' the country. The article does not say or even hint that the persons in Belize have anything to do with the fraud or bankruptcy of the company Shaw was associated with.

You made a number of assumptions. Try not to do that. They are not facts.

Can't believe this primal gut instinct that ultra-liberals already equate this with Romney! AMAZING! Totally disregarding the fact this guy was original in NEW YORK, (Bloomberg, liberal heaven anyone?) . It's more close to the great crime and scam machine in Chicago. Also if you wanna scream "loopholes" take a quick look at you know who's big house financing in Chicago. If anybody really thinks that the majority of politicians are honest..well...if you wanna borrow my Peter Pan video....

Frankly True,

You are correct. I made the statement before I re-read the article and realized the attorney, not the client, signed the ticket. I never said the attorney was a criminal. The story can be confusing with all the mention of the criminal activities in the beginning.

Ahhh I looked up Shaw and the Company he was CEO of.
He was CEO until leaving the company in 2005, the controlling interest in the company had been taken over by two other men at about that time. The fraud and looting pump/dump scheme began the NEXT year 2006 and into 2007. Shaw was not involved in that. The men who were have been found guilty last year and were sentenced in September. I would assume they are sitting in prison now as at least one was not even granted bail and sat in jail until the trial.
I would expect that Shaw was called as a witness to testify about the takeover and the company before the fraud.
I think he is now serving as a consultant to the company as the bankruptcy winds down and claims are settled. If he was the criminal behind the fraud , I doubt the SEC and courts would have allowed him to be a consultant.
Sometimes a quick internet search will tell you a lot.

he is rich like bernie madoff thats why he will not come back to the us he has better things to do with the next 150 yrs of his life. LOL

Just to let everyone know ... my original post was in fact a cynical joke ... Maybe I'd accept death after a decade or so of being a multi-millionaire ... but not just one day ... There's no way one could possibly spend 14 million dollars in one day and enjoy it, unless you go bar hopping in Hoboken NJ.

... And 'ObamaReallyCaresLOL' no one mentioned Romney or spewed any partisan babbling in this comment tree, except for you. "oh, but well he's from liberal heaven new york" LOL, That was the dumbest, most pointless ad hominem rambling I've seen online all day. I'm not a fan of Obama either but you just sound like a complete moron. Also, who on this entire page, ever said anything about the majority of politicians being honest?? You can keep your Peter Pan video...

What on earth are you talking about? You would choose to accept death in 1 day just to have $14 million for that last day? And you think many others would do the same?

Holy cow..you must have a TERRIBLE life. Because most people wouldn't give up even 10 years of the end of their life for $14 million.

How about a few punctuation marks so that your post has a chance of making some sense?

Ummm... the 5th grade called. They want you back.

Pat's a writer for msnbc.

pat...just assuming you are using a smartphone or black berry and punctuation is too much trouble.

However, I was able to easily determine what you had to say. WOW! High school paid off.

(Don't know what to say about the others that couldn't figure it out.)

hs321 - IMHO, if pat omalley is trying to make a point then it is his/her responsibility to make it clearly. It is not my job to have to figure out what he/she is trying to say. Can you imagine a sentence similar to that one on a job application or resume?

UMGATORhowaboutyougetajobteachingenglsihgrammerandspellingsowedonthaveto readyoureverynotationofanerrorhere?

Damn dude

GET A LIFE

hs321 -- yet the only punctuation pat used is incorrect ... sad.

BTW, I have colleagues in Taiwan, and they say they don't pay any tax on capital gains, as their gov. recognizes that businesses keep the economy afloat, that there are risks in investing in businesses, and that the incentive of getting a nice profit for a modest stock investment helps companies raise capital. They are surprised that our gov. forces us to pay taxes on any gains, yet does not give us money when the stocks tank. The idea of doubling the tax rate to 30% makes them wonder what will happen to start-up businesses that must raise funds to survive a few years before their hard efforts bear fruit.

Frankly True - Damn dude, perhaps you too should get a life. There is nothing wrong with expecting people to be able to write a clear sentence.

Every person that reads an MSNBC article, and then goes on to talk about how poorly written they are and all the other things I see need to ask themselves a question. Why are you one here, and why do you read their articles?

It is similar to people that watch television shows and then complain about how awful or offending they are? What is up with that? lol

yeah, it's the law firm of Dewey, Cheetum and Howe

But will that man thank you for your help?

The attorney couldn't claim the money because who ever purchased the ticket signed it with a company name instead of his/her name. And since that person has fled the country due to a criminal investigation, it would be quite foolish to come back to America and try to claim that money.

William again....nowhere does it say anyone has fled the country or that the owners of the ticket are engaged in criminal activity.

The article also says Shaw signed the ticket for them.

Karma - he could have the money, IF he weren't some sort of felon. Must be terrible to know that, if you hadn't committed that crime, you'd be a wealth man now. instant karma.

Ragin' That was the best twist on an old saying that I have ever heard in my life and I'm 63! Thanks.

When did Vandersloot get arrested?

In my state (Pennsylvania), any winnings that go unclaimed are rolled over to the benefit programs that the lotteries fund, or at least that's what they say is done with the winnings. I'd venture to guess that's probably what happens elsewhere, but I'm just guessing...I could be wrong.

Should go to cancer research.

In RI the money is put into the "general fund" which is supposed to be used for budgetary purposes. I doubt it's used constructively.

corvette crazy

Because the ticket does not belong to the attorney.

The rest of your post is sheer assumption and has no basis in fact.

I thought I was the only person who felt that way. Sometime ago it was printed on the internet that a man was down to $24 and unemployed. He played a quick pick and won millions. Please!! Sometimes I think these stories are just that...stories. Just another way to drag us into spending our little money and getting nothing in return. The only person I knew that won did so because the lottery machine malfunctioned.

The money goes back into a pool for future prizes. Each state is different.

Plenty of deserving charities but what charity is more deserving than another? Better to stay away from donation issues.

Shared_Gum: He signed it with a company name. Having done that, none of his friends or family would be able to claim the ticket.

But I thought companies/corporations are people too.

No SallyAnn-4595694, they are an 'entity' owned by shareholders or private individuals. They aren't people. lol

Well said! Yes, Tvind is alleged to be annually sucking about $50 million out of the United States, mainly under the pretense of charity. As you say, Tvind Alert is a great website for further info. But one can also check out these shocking TV news reports on USAgain and Planet Aid, respectively (Google search the keywords):

* Millions In Clothing Donations Diverted From Charity – kirotv

* Local Mayor Wants Red Bins Out - USAgain – YouTube

* FOX 5 Investigation: Planet Aid

* Planet Aid: Charity Denies Cult Connection

* Charity Watchdog Accuses Planet Aid Of Misleading Its Donors

* Team 4: Why One Charity Gets An 'F' - Pittsburgh News Story

They're probably wanted for something nasty, which is why they refuse to come back to the country to claim the money.

Johnnyt: (1) he is out of the country escaping criminal charges, (2) he signed the ticket with an incorrect company name.

William AGAIN

There is nothing in the article whatsoever to support your statements.

The attorney signed the ticket and he is in Des Moines, he has not been found guilty of anything otherwise he would not be an attorney. And a simple misspelling is not really relevant. Hexam Hexham...who cares, they are not challenging it because of any spelling error. I am sure you have never made a spelling error have you?

Frankly True

I have already stated that I re-read the article and realized the attorney signed the ticket and not the client. The writer made the misspelling relevant by putting it in the article, not me.

It's obvious that there is illegal activity present here. If either the attorney or the "buyer" of the ticket cannot just come forward to claim a lottery winning like any other regular law abiding citizen who has nothing to hide. There is something wrong. Think about it 14.3 million dollars we would all love to have that. If law enforcement has been looking for you, should you be playing the lotto? Who would you trust if you actually won?? Either claim the money compromise your identity and go to jail and still not get the money or stay poor and free for the rest of your life in hiding?

Hexam/Hexham....

If I had a winning ticket this large, you can be sure it would be signed correctly and with my best penmenship.

Not something done, almost as an afterthought.

I'll bet the picture of the original buyer (they have it on the stores security camera) will be in the news.

If the money doesn't get claimed, it'll be distributed to the states participating in the Hot Lotto game. Iowa share would be approx. 1.3 million.