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Subscribe to RSSA Michigan lottery winner has been charged with two counts of welfare fraud after collecting food stamps and using public medical assistance despite having won more than $700,000. If convicted of the two felony charges, Amanda Clayton, 25, could face up to four years in prison. WDIV-TV's Steve Garagiola reports.
Michigan Lottery / Detroit News via AP
Amanda Clayton holds her $1 million lottery check. The state says Clayton, who continued to get food stamps, has been removed from the program.
A Michigan woman who hit a $1 million lottery jackpot but kept getting food stamps pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to welfare fraud, NBC station WDIV-TV in Detroit reported.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette earlier on Tuesday had announced two felony charges against Amanda Clayton, 25, of Lincoln Park.
Clayton was arrested Monday. On Tuesday she entered the plea in Lincoln Park’s 25th District Court.
Her defense lawyer, Stanley Wise, told WDIV that he hopes to get the charges dismissed at Clayton’s next court hearing, which is scheduled for April 24.
Read the full story on WDIV-TV's website
The charges are punishable by up to four years in prison, The Associated Press reported.
After winning the lottery last fall, Clayton decided to pick a $700,000 lump sum payment, before taxes.
The situation was revealed when WDIV interviewed Clayton, who said she thought it might be acceptable to continue using food stamps because she wasn’t working.
"I thought that they would cut me off, but since they didn't, I thought maybe it was okay because I'm not working," Clayton told WDIV at the time.
In March, Michigan’s Department of Human Services took Clayton off the food stamp program.
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Trashy, hope she gets jail time for this, nothing like living high off the taxpayers hard work.
Sure jail time would be nice to see and teach her a lesson. More importantly, make the moron pay back the food stamps with her winnings!
Make an example of her and send her to jail! Even though she's just a speck in the number of people who fraud the government, these people need to know that cheating the system will get you jail time and loss of everything!
Why not let the welfare dept sue her with punitive damages, take her $700,000 and let her have welfare?
Greed Greed Greed..that's all people think about. She broke the law..has to pay the price like all others.
It's sicking how people do this when they have money and others are losing their homes or can't even feed their family everyday.
Would take me my working life time in wages just to be at $1 million.
This attitude of continuing to receive Social benefits because "I thought maybe it was okay because I'm not working" is beyond comprehension.
Wait a minute.....that is the attitude of a LOT of folks. Flashback to the video of those folks "waiting" for their Obama Bucks and for (unknown) Change.
Oh yes food stamps are living high on the hog! Not! And if we send her to jail it will cost a whole lot more than food stamps would. But I guess it's easier to hate and get irrational.
How about a fine equal to what she got in food stamps and then double it, including the cost of collecting it. Now if they only could send her to anti-stupidity classes.
Let's all get indignant about this silly girl and her welfare. Send her to prison forever, shes a leech. Meanwhile, those who crashed the economy putting people like her on welfare in the first place can go right along collecting million dollar bonuses. Maybe we should save out outrage for the true criminals?
Stupid is as stupid does!
From previous stories, she has spent most of the money already. She bought a new house (now she has two) and a new car.
Where are all the right winger commentators? If the person on the photo had been black or brown and named Latisha or something like that, there'd already be over a thousand posts virulently decrying welfare :D
@John Williams-nam-vet
Not that I am defending what she did in anyway but did she actually break the law? In order to commit fraud you have to willfully decive someone. Did she lie about her winnings so she could keep getting the checks? I'm not sure, unfortunately the media has little interest in actually gathering facts these days.
Sounds more like a symptom of an utterly broken system to me. My brother went on food stamps after he'd been out of work for several months. He just needed a little bit every month so he could afford decent food when his kids were with him. The amount he qualified for was more than double what he needed but they actually wouldn't let him take a lesser amount. The whole system is fcked. Punishing someone for being stupid when the entire system is based on stupid doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
She's not only greedy and lazy, she's stupid! Take away her winnings and the things she bought with those winnings, take her off welfare and make her go to work scrubbing toilets in government buildings. Don't send her to jail, that's just another way for her to live off taxpayer dollars and do nothing.
These type are so used to living off the hardworking taxpayers that they can't imagine it being any other way.
@backcountry
You are right that the system is broken. But this does not excuse the greed of her actions. She has a windfall and then still expects help from the taxpayers? If that ticket was bought with a welfare check, then shouldn't the proceeds belong to the welfare department? Welfare checks are supposed to be for the basic requirements in life like shelter, clothing and food.
OK Khalid, I'll ask, what color are ya?
She probably thought all Government Agencies would automatically know that she won the lottery and she didn't have to tell them. Probably got HUD housing too.
Quizicat, It's not about which is more expensive, it's about abusing the system and breaking the law. If a thug breaks into you house and steals a tv would you care that it's going to cost more to send him to prison then it did for your tv? She needs to go to jail for fraud, she needs to pay back the money she received after she won the lottery, and she needs to pay whatever fines are applicable as wells as her own legal fees. Long story short, the free ride is over and now it's time to grow up.
Food stamps are based on average monthly income, received through regular pay periods. She would only be bound by law to report it as income one time, and would be within the law by saying it isn't expected to continue. After that first month of no food stamps, she would be legally eligible for food assistance again, and they would not legally be able to deny her. If she reported it as a one time payment, and went back and got back on assistance, then there is no legal standing against her. But, if she didn't report it at all, then that is her fault, although I doubt felony charges would stick.
A million dollars doesn't make you smarter. Recommend restitution and fine; no jail.
Kahlid - its PATHETIC that a story that has nothing to do with race, in any way shape or form, you somehow try to bring it there. Its also disgusting that you would be upset that people arent fitting the racist stereotypes that you are projecting. Its almost as if you WANT people to make racist comments.
Just shows who the true racists are - Hope things get better in your life Kahlid, living with all that hate and bigotry will wear on you in the long run.
@USMC Vet-2238128
I'm not trying to excuse or deny the fact that she is greedy but last time I checked greed isn't illegal. I'm just doubting that she actually broke any law. If you'll recall pretty much the exact same thing happened in the exact same state almost exactly one year earlier and that guy was told by the welfare dept that he could keep using food stamps. As I recall a one time winning was not considered "income" allowing him to continue receiving benefits. Was the law changed? Again I'm not sure, might have been nice if the "journalist" who wrote this piece asked himself and then attempted to find the answers to these question before posting this story.
EXACTLY RIGHT JOE JOHNSON-438582
In Michigan, you must report any "change of income" within 30 days of that change. If she reported it and the Dept of Human Services F*&%'d up and continued her bridge card updates, then - the Dept needs to be investigated for not following thru--If she did not report the change of income--then she did infact commit fraud and should be punished accordingly. Making an example of her is not the answer--following the law IS.
Is she REALLY that stupid? Guess she will blow thru that lotto check and have nothing to show for it.
Her welfare check went towards buying lottery tickets? Shes not working!!!!
FRAUD........go directly to jail, do not pass go and do not collect $200
I guess driving up to her local A&P in her new Bentley, Loub platforms and LV tote while she pays for her milk, cheese and bread with her welfare card doesn't faze her.
Are you racist? Only black or brown people get welfare?????
wow...Backcountry, post 1.17.
FINALLY ! Someone ASKED the ONLY relevant question - "DID she break a law ?"
Good for you !
She "wasn't working"? Really? She was on welfare, won a million dollars, didn't run right out to get a job, and kept getting food stamps. In theory, she could live off that windfall, even after taxes, for the next twenty years but she thinks she still should be getting food stamps?
Hmm. Maybe she could get off on a 'not guilty' plea. Obviously there is a disconnect in this gal's brain if she truly believes she is justified in receiving food stamps. Although, come to think of it, this is the mindset of too many in Washington so, I guess she may be on to something.
I fully agree, MAKE an example of these upstart, unemployed low-wage groups when something good comes their way and they choose to ignore their responsibility to the government. Cheating the Government and being wealthy should be reserved for those that do it big-time by burying their wealth in off-shore accounts and in other Republican Sponsored tax shelters and dodges.
If you want to make a REAL change in the Tax Codes, take away Tax Rebates from those who don't pay into the IRS from the Poor to Lower Middle Class portion of the population (as the Republicans seem to wish); BUT at the same time remove ALL tax shelters and dodges from the wealthy so that their TRUE INCOME is taxed. Their TOTAL INCOME and not just that which is reported now but also those incomes Squirreled away including Interest and Stock Market Gains (even profits which are rolled-over to other investments). THAT is the way they expect those of the lesser 95% to pay... SO why not themselves?
Backcountry164 I've always been told that ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law. I live by it. Sometimes it sucks but it doesn't mean a law wasn't broken. Oh, and in my experience, able bodied people that manage to get on welfare know all the laws and a way around them. I'm just saying.
OMG how stupid can you get!
She's greedy, she's ignorant, she's lazy....but, as has already been asked, did she break a law? If so, fine her, let her make restitution and move on. If not, then this is indicative of a bigger problem which is what most of us expect...the entitlement system is broken! FIX IT!!!! All of you who are crying for her to be thrown in jail...calm down; not all crimes are worthy of jail. Sometimes a simple fine and restitution is punishment enough. As far as her stupidity goes? Well, some things are beyond repair!
You can't win 'em all Khalid. You are right about most cases though.
There was a time when welfare was first implemented that folks were ashamed to have to put a hand out and request assistance in taking care of their families. When they finally broke down and accepted "charity" they did so humbly with every intention of getting "back on thier feet" as soon as possible and eventually paying back whatever was given to them. It was a matter of pride that one be able to support themselves and those that depended on them.
Fast forward to today and you have an able bodied young girl who not only unashamedly took government assistance, when she lucked into hitting the jackpot she continued to take money as if there was nothing wrong with it.
The very first thing she should have done was to call the department of Social Services to alert them that she no longer required their assistance. Then she should have taken 10 grand off the top of her winnings and donated it to an emergency food bank to pay back for the times that she was down and out and hand to accept the help of others. The remainder of her winnings should have been invested in a manner that would pay her a monthly "allowance" to live off of at least until she was able to find herself a decent job.
I'm not naive, after taxes she probably only cleared $500K. That's not wild spending spree kind of money. Buying one modest house and a nice car would completely deplete it. However, for someone who was on food stamps and (presumably) living on welfare, that had the potential to be life changing money. It could have bought her an education if she lacked one, it certainly gave her a nice safety net, assuming that she invested it properly, say diversafying over bonds, CDs and dividend paying stocks she could reasonably expect to make about $25-$30 per year. Like I said, it's not run out and buy a yacht money, but she could live a decent working class lifestyle without having to actually, you know, work.
I hate when people pass the blame. She said she thought the state would stop it. If truly that is the case, what stopped her from calling the state and finding out for sure? Deep down she knew it was wrong. Why would she come up with these excuses?
Quizicat wrote:
As others have stated, that's not the point. However, to address your concern, she could do community service, say, a year removing invasive species from about a zillion acres in the West. It might even start her towards developing a work ethic.... which clearly she lacks now. Regards....
While I don't condone Ms. Claytons actions....let me see if I got this right....
The 'little guy' (Clayton) can take gov. money, wrongly, and spend it, and get charged with a bunch of crimes....
but....
The GSA can take gov money, waste it, and the punishment is what ???
Maybe we're being too harsh. She does have all the qualifications to be in the Senate.
I am just happy she is not African American because this would have turned into a racial incident. because she would be cheating the system. That just goes to show that black folk ain't the only one getting food stamps. People would be harsher if she was of color.
I guess she "forgot" about notifying them, when her income changed. I hope they throw the book at her AND make her pay back every penny, PLUS a hefty fine! People cheat the welfare system all the time and working people are left to foot the bill. We all KNOW the wealthy sure don't contribute their fair share!
Never saw so many jealous people in my life. Geez, if the state feels she qualifies then so be it. She's struggling....actually upon her release she will file right back into line because her attorney, refers to her by now as uh damn, that lottery winning miscreant I represented. You see there will be at the least half gone and the longer you delay the costlier it becomes, attorney wise. It would be dumb to throw her in jail but smart to put her in all expense paid trip by her to Graybar motel and lounge center...about since she has all this money, she becomes the 1st person to wash 450,000 police cars. Stupid stupid stupid...as whatever penalty she pays the freight to execute it.
Nuffsnuff:
So, when was the last time that you read all the laws in existence? Oh, you didn't. I didn't think so. I don't like the line "ignorance of the law is no excuse." It is too often used by insiders to pass "gotcha" laws to throw people in jail for things that they have no reasonable ability to know about. If a law is well-publicized, then fine, you say the person should have known about it. If it is some obscure law that no one on the jury knew about (prior to having it explained for the case) and you are saying "ignorance of the law is no excuse," then it's really a case of entrapment.
Put her in jail, let her keep her food stamps and declare her lottery winnings null and void - Any money she has should pay for her jail stay, the rest, back to the lottery.
A.
I love how people here are saying to make an example of her... Let me ask: Name to me an example where "making an example of someone" has deterred or stopped people from doing things like this lady?
Spoiler: It hasn't. Destroying this woman's life in the name of some outdated political ideology will do nothing. Republican or Democrat: Neither philosophy or school of thought is worth a human life being destroyed over stupidity. Although I am sure that Rush, Romney, and the GOP have a perfect solution for the poor!
Don't get me wrong: She did do wrong and should be punished. However this whole "Lets make an example of her!" is pointless, fruitless, and a waste of time. It isn't going to fix broken systems nor is it going to stop people from doing wrong.
I am really confused here. A lot of you are saying she was on Welfare. No where in the story does it mention she was on welfare. She was getting food stamps. A lot of working people get food stamps and the are not on welfare. They are managed by the welfare system, but it is not welfare. So where do you get she was ever on welfare??
She should have known better but why should she go to jail because the system is complete disaster? Jail time won't fix a thing and obviously she has kids or she would not have been getting food stamps. There are a lot more serious abuses of the system out there. How many illegal aliens are getting food stamps?
"People would be harsher if she was of color."
Oh B.S. It's you, and folks like Khalid, trying to make a racial issue out of just flat-out fraud. Who cares what race she was? She took money put into the system by working taxpayers, even after she obtained the means to live in comfort. I don't care if her skin was plaid, and she had freakin' antennae. Jail her. It'll help deter other potential fraudsters.
Too bad nothing can be done about her mother, who (in previous articles) defended her; apparently believing that nothing about what her daughter was doing was incorrect in any way. No wonder she turned out like she did.
I saw the live interview and she was arrogant this was a few months ago and they are just cutting her off. She is an able bodied young woman why was she on welfare in the 1st place? There are jobs out there. It is eay to blow this off and say she is stupid or the system is broken. Nope she knew she is to tell her case worker of any changes in her incone. Welfare is to be used to get over the tough times not to be used indefinitely as an income.
This is a commentary on her moral fiber (or lack thereof). But, like someone said above, if we're not demanding jail time for the higher ups who commit fraud and steal millions of taxpayer's money, then why demand that this one go to jail?
She's just a small part of a much bigger problem in this country. Make her pay it back, fine her and move on.
It's horribly sad, that grown people, who at least...profess to possessing even a morsel of intellect....but CANNOT even comprehend the simplicity of "living in someone else's shoes"...remain blinded to just HOW infantile and slow they exhibit themselves on these boards! I just wonder whether there ARE any white persons reading these posts, really 'understanding' the distinction of life experiences...meted out according to 'race, creed, ethnicity, nationality, gender' etc. Because if these 'geniuses' ganging-up on Khalid are truly oblivious to everything essentially 'routine' since early, early America, then these boards are TRULY NOT geared to the truly intelligent in this society. BTW, I do not react, respond to rebuttal-ignorance.
...on the other hand, if these posters here are honestly 'offended' about other people's opinions, then maybe the real racists, haters, etc., are kept chained in the basement...only to be let out if and when the "true welfare queens" make the news! smh!
I can understand the confusion that the women must have went through trying to figure out how to do the right thing and stop those pesky food stamps from showing up in her mailbox. The fact that she still was not working made it all that much harder........Not only is this woman on government cheese she is a true victim! Heck, the same government that gave her the food stamps also took almost half of her winnings. She is entitled to recoup those unfair taxes that were taken against her will. We must realize this is probably the first time in her life she actually had to pay taxes. I mean I am pretty sure she filed every year but she got all of her contributions back in the form of a tax refund and the head of household deduction. Heck, who are we to question her right to continue collecting illegal benefits?
Disturbedlibrarian, I think you have the best idea yet! I believe she knew it was wrong, but then she doesn't seem like the brightest bulb in the package either lioke you indicated in your post. Whatever money she may have left will surely go to repay the state not to mention her attorney. Karma, ain't it a biach?
Greedy little idiot.
Gotta love that entitlement mentality.
This is a major failure of one government entity failing to notify another. The lottery commission should inform all entitlement agencies so these kind of things don't happen.
She should have to pay back the cost of the food stamps since she had her winnings.
Right on Khalid.
why should the lottery commission inform the entitlement agencies? Screw that, if her ass wants to fraud us then she should pay the piper. give her a huge fine. that way she won't be on our dime in jail and she could pay the government and help us.
While I agree that she should have been cut off after winning, in Michigan, at the time she won, lump sum lottery winnings were not considered as income when determining welfare eligibility. She is a dirtbag, in my opinion, but she did not break any state laws at the time she won. I know there was a measure in the MI legislature in early 2012 to change lottery winnings/welfare eligibility but that new law could not be back dated to include her. Also, they would have had to notify her of eligibility changes if new rules were put in place. If she were not notified then she did not break any laws.
this proves it!!! Money can't fix STUPID
I always figured if I ever won any money I would pay back for the food stamps I had to get for my children when I was a single Mom. So far the lotto keeps going to others.
Maybe one day. She should have considered herself fortunate and not been greedy.
I agree... they need to give her a HUGE fine so us taxpayers don't have to pay for her jail time. A fine like, say... $700,00? Now THAT would be justice.
Why didn't her social worker at Michigans DHS notice or do anything about it initially?
Hell, she probably needed the food stamps after the government took their part and all the leaches sucked her dry.
they didn't want to loose a customer, Job security.
Make her reimburse the money from her winnings. Then give her 2 years community service cleaning up her neighborhood and helping the people in shelters.
Putting her in prison means the taxpayers will have to pay for her stay there, her food, her medical, and her safety.
Hit her where it's going to hurt the most. Make her pay all the money back X's 3 the amount as punishment, or put a lean on her home, and then 2 years community service.
That's a real punishment. Why bill taxpayers for her incarceration, food and lodging expenses. The taxpayers did nothing wrong here.
Perhaps she should have put the welfare money in the bank until it could be returned..?
San Diego-537882
Food Stamps are Federal and she will pay back every nickle....
"why yes, I do have a new 'Benz, and the gardener called in sick, but since I don't contribute anything to society, save for getting rid of pesky oxygen, i felt it was within my constipational rights to continue getting monies from you idio.......i mean the nice taxpayers"
You forgot her contributions, fertilizer and CO2
Stupid has never been a valid legal defense.
Sad to add, but I won't be surprised if she is broke and back on the public dole in less than 5 years.
5 years? You are optimistic...
Maybe in past it was not an excuse but the way things are going today it seems to be the rule, both on the part of the taker and the giver.
Actually - intent IS a factor in criminal law.
I can't believe that if she's convicted of welfare fraud that she would be allowed to apply for it again. That's just freaking stupid. Never give a car thief the keys to your car. duh!
Her being allowed to apply for welfare again, even if found guilty of welfare fraud once again shows you how IDIOTIC and USELESS our government is!!
She should go to jail. There are people out there that NEED the money to survive. Get off your butt little girl, go find a job, pay your taxes and quit free loading. Oh wait, that plan is on hold until you do your jail time.
She sing going to jail, the amounts aren't big enough plus she will just say she didn't know
????
Ignorance of the law is not an acceptable defense. The amount doesn't matter. It's the fraud that matters, which is why she should go to jail.
every police officer will tell you, ignorance of the law isn't an excuse to break it
really,
I'm sure you and every police officer has all those thousands and thousands and thousands of pages of U.S., state, county, and local codes/ordinances/and laws memorized.
The idea that "ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it" only holds water if there are few laws or only certain laws of a massive number are regularly enforced. We live in the latter situation. That means that you could break a law and have no idea you were doing so, without the intent to do so, and in addition to being charged with breaking that law, there are probably numerous other laws that you broke in the process of breaking that law.
Our justice system is broken, we have too many laws, and most of our laws are just plain stupid, informed by ignorance and fear, pandering to certain factions for economic control or rights, or based on selling out our national sovereignty through international treaties.
The weight of the law is heavy. More and more laws are constantly thrown into the mix. There is a breaking point at which point the nation and the people lose and we are all destroyed.
Wow, settle down people. Restitution for Food stamps since winning lottery and court costs and move on. Such anger will affect your health.
ConstitutionThumper very nice.
Ok now for the article. Did she not have to sign something in order to get Aid? And I do not know but I doubt that they give Aid without telling people. That they have to report ALL income. I thought welfare or Aid was given to only those who have exhausted their assets or had children.
I think there are pretty tight rules regarding welfare fraud. I believe there is quite a probationary period, if there is one. I think she could possibly be off permanently of the welfare rolls. It will probably depend on the state. In California they are rather strict, fraud and you're done.
She'd make a great VP.... as good as any in the past few decades in any event.
she is apparently able bodied. She managed to get on welfare in the first place which means she knows how to move through the system. She new it was illegal but figured, " hey, if they're dumb enough to keep sending it, then I can keep spending it." People like her know the system and how it works. And if she gets away with it, it's another loophole that pro welfare sponges like her will continue to exploit. After the lawyers, and hopefully, the conviction, she's going to be broke again. Good.
With her mentality it's no wonder that she can't find any work. But.............. It is so bad that the gov't. is going after this one individual to make her an example when our people who work for the gov't do far worse in their extra curricular activities in Vegas, ect. How much did they abuse the system for? And when is someone going to make an example out of them? I do not condone what she did, but holy cow lets have the gov't make some prime examples out of their peers so it at least looks fair to the rest of us. Solynda was a fraud, Gas price fixing a fraud, Odumbo a fraud, where do we begin? I say start at the top and work your way down to this low lifer.
Doug-2029818
Doug, anger is likely stemming from the fact that while we were paying for her food, she used her cash to buy lottery.
She says she wasnt working, but she managed to buy lotto tickets and probably didnt just buy one. Hummmmmm.... funny how money just appears out of nowhere.
It was the Michigan Lottery and the Michigan Department of Human Services, is it too much effort to check and see if the person you are giving a huge check to is on public assistance?
Was she supposed to call them and tell to them to do their jobs?
A pathetic attempt by Michigan officials to "do something", while totally ignoring the people actually responsible.
Not true, when you apply and get public assistance, it clearly states " should you have a change in income, you are to notify the dept. ". She tried to get all she could get and more, like so many people today.
No, its not too much. But this piece of trash had been on FS long enough to know. A recipient is required to report any changes in income/living arrangements of more then $25 within 10 days. She bought another house, yes she owns 2. and bought a car. Are you kidding me. If she had all that money why did she need FS. SHE DIDNT. She didnt want to have to work, and still wanted them to pay for her food. Give me a break. She tried to cheat the system plain and simple. She should be prosecuted along with all the other people out there getting a free ride and lying to do so. There are a lot of people who work and contribute who could surely use some help and they cant get it b/c there are so many cheating the system and taking away from those who are really in need. Food Stamps is not supposed to be a way of life, its supposed to HELP and assist people. Throw her in jail and ban her from ever getting FS again in the future.
Who are the people who are reposnsible other than she?
It's not too much to ask for to let the DHS know that shejust won a jackpot and what's with owing two house while on wellfare, I can barely afford one, and my husband and I both work. She tried to cheat, put her in jail make her pay back the money she got with interest, ban her forever from wellfare.
Exactly,LoriLea66. On the final page of the application form are paragraphs listing your Rights and your Responsibilties. Among the Rights are the ability to ask for a fair hearing if one is denied benefits; to request a translator or receive the application in an alternate form (if one is blind, etc.) if needed; to not be discrimiated against due to race, religion, gender, etc. Under the Responsibilites section that ALL applicants and beneficiaries MUST READ AND SIGN is the sentence that states one MUST REPORT ANY CHANGE IN INCOME WITHIN 10 DAYS. This INCLUDES, but is not limited to, inheritences, lump-sum payments (from winnings, Social Security, lawsuit settlements, etc.), earned (and UNearned) income, etc. This legally binding form that one signs very clearly spells out what must be reported; that your signature constitutes your agreement with the rules and that you Understand and Will Comply with said rules; and what the consequences are for BREAKING those rules.
What will probably happen is that she will have to pay back all benefits she received, going back to the date of the lottery win, and she will be barred from receiving food stamps indefinitely. She will have to sell one of her houses and spend the proceeds from it before she becomes eligible for food stamps again if she has not been barred for life from these benefits.
Maybe they will seize her assets the two houses. Then we can have two more abandoned ones out there.
Great post iamadingdong2. I was wondering how clearly it was spelled out on the welfare forms - afterall, if it wasnt clear she could claim she was unaware. But that is quite specific so I'm not sure how she plans to claim she didnt know what she was doing was wrong when signing that page says she agrees to those conditions. Restitution seems like the most logical punishment, although if they were to ban her from the welfare system due to her history of fraud, that would be pretty fitting too!
Thanks, Allie-2746746. Compliments ALWAYS make my day! If anyone wishes to do so (just to satisy one's curiosity), go to ANY state's Department of Human Services website, and there will be found the rules and regulations concerning food stamps. Most states also have a little questionaire one can fill out to see if one actually qualifies to receive those benefits, without giving one's name. My autistic adult daughter and I DO qualify, but I have made the choice not to apply at this time. I make enough to cover our basic needs, but I may do so for HER if things get much worse. (I'll ditch the unnecessary things first: the internet, then the tv, then the phone--though I'm keeping the prepaid cell for emergencies. If all the above fails, well, THEN I will apply.) As for my knowing the rules and regulations, I was on food stamps in the past. Sometimes it IS necessary, but it is meant to be temporary, NOT a way of life. To read what this foolish young lady did chaps my backside something fierce. She perpetuates the myth that the majority of people on public assistance are uneducated, unambitious, ignorant and lazy fools. Not true.
I remember the tv interview she had awhile back (if this is the same welfare lottery winner which I am assuming it is). When the lady asked her why she felt she was entitled to continued to receive food stamps and she actually answered she was because she still needed them since she was still unemployeed. This is why I hate my tax money going to people like this. GET A JOB!! I work two jobs and abled bodied people who can work should be working.
OMG, just amazing how these incredibly stupid people keep winning large sums and don't do anything to pick themselves up out of the gutter!
You can take the idiot out of the ghetto but you can't take the ghetto out of the idiot.
What does the ghetto have to do with people being greedy?????
I wonder if she used social assistance money to pay for her lottery ticket. Wouldn't surprise me any given the caliber of the lame assed "excuse" of they kept sending me stuff. Never mind when you start ANY social assistance program you are told "IF THERE IS A CHANGE TO YOUR INCOME YOU NEED TO INFORM US". But I guess she must have skipped over that little tidbit and jumped right to "Show me the free money".
Oh if only that could be proven. If she used money meant to feed herself and her children to gamble, I'd hope the state would have a case to seize her winnings!
That's why she has two purses. One with state money to buy necessary items and one with her own "mad money" to spend on lottery tickets. Perfectly legal......(sarc)
Somewhat similar thing happened here in Nevada.
A young lady hit the MegaBucks machine jackpot for $33M. A few months passes and then we read in the paper that the state is going after her because at the time she hit the jackpot she was collecting unemployment. Apparently, in the unemployment 'agreement' it says something about how you can't use the money to gamble. Since the unemployment was her only source of income, they went after her.
Didn't work. I forget the legal move, but she hired a lawyer and the case was dismissed.
I love your comment! My husband works about seventy hours a week right now because after I lost my job I decided to go back to school to better myself and make a better life for my family. I have one semester left before I graduate but it has been a rough few years. Even with my husband working as many hours as he does, something like a lottery ticket would have been an extravagance for us. It makes me sick that she was collecting welfare and could afford to purchase a ticket. Then to be blessed enough to win and take advantage of the system is ridiculous!
I was only layed off two times in my lifetime. I do remember I played the lottery more when I had less.
I guess it was just in the hope that I could provide better for my family, though I don't really know. It just happened that way. I never won big and I doubt the $1.00 a week made any difference. By the way, I never took a cent of taxpayers money except unemployment.
I was honest about the unemployment, even when I got part time work, I reported it. Ok, I'm done patting myself on the back.
Paul: You do realize that unemployment is taxpayers money. As a business owner, I have to pay "Unemployment Tax" and it was just increased under the Obama administration. You sound like an honest guy, but it WAS taxpayer money you used.
Jan, so what? Wasn't Paul a taxpayer until he got layed off?
Jan. I just got through doing the quarterly taxes and unemployment taxes for the company that I work for. You say it was raised under the Obama administration. Sorry but I am going to call you out on that. That is BULL HOCKEY, the current rate of Federal unemployment taxes is .008. If you are paying more, it is to your STATE not the FED! The Federal rate has not changed in 8 years. Okay, so what else have you got? I can tell you this, the State of MD is at .022, the state of Florida is all over the freaking map, depending on what county you are a business in. Same with the State of VA, all over the place depending on what county you do business in.
Jan
I did say "except Unemployment" I pay into that account. Every paycheck I get has an amount taken out for unemployment compensation. I have worked for 40 years, I bet I have paid in more than I took out. Hopefully it stays that way.
I remember when this story broke, she was whining that she had 2 new houses to maintain and couldn't afford food after paying both the mortgages. Just disgusting, while others struggle greed seems to be never ending.
It's wrong to receive Welfare when you have money, but in this case it's the government fault for not cutting out the service. The government can only do is recover the money plus penalty. Was she told to notify the Welfare Agency when she has money? What was the procedure?
With any government assistance, it is made VERY clear that you have to report any changes in income. She is stupid for trying to get away with it, but not so stupid that she did not understand. She just didn't care.
I believe the protocol is that the person who is on welfare must report if their situation changes (similar to unemployment benefits). Because the government has millions of people they are trying to keep tabs on regarding welfare, it has to rely on people updating them. So odds are, she decided not to notify them (regardless if she thought that the government was aware of her winnings or not) when it states on the paper work that she is required to notify them of a change in her financial status.
The problem with some states is that an employer has to fill out the paper work and only wages go against the income, idea behind this is that government checks and benefits can not count against you. That is why you see lottery winners in different states that still get get food stamps and housing subsidies. I do agree it is wrong she should have to pay it back but I also believe that public assistance is to blame since it is so easy to get it.
It is unreasonable to blame the public assistance program for "being easy to get" or for not monitoring all lottery winners for assistance recipients. That kind of micromanaging would cost the taxpayers even more money. Unfortunately, the honor system has to come into play. These people who get benefits when they don't need it don't have any honor, or any scruples. There is nothing that can be put in place to stop them and if there was they would find a way around it. That is why it is so important to make sure that the people who are caught blatantly abusing the system be dealt with harshly. I hope she has to make restitution and is forced to do 1,000 hours of community service either at a food pantry or a soup kitchen.
Just goes to show that stupid has no color.
Strange...I did not realize this was a racial issue. Stupid comes in every race much like racism.
Are you freaking kidding me? Won't be long before the stupid people in the country outnumber the rest. Then they'll be voting in the new rules to the ruin of the country.
That happened back in the 80's where have you been?
It happened back in the 60s. Where have you been? (Tongue in cheek, Wheels, just having some fun.)
It's always real easy to call everyone else stupid.
It makes you feel like it's not your fault the world is a ****** place.
You read my mind.
...and in the early part of the 21st century...
Lots of blame here to go around. Does the Michigan lottery turn over reports to other agencies to double check for things like this? And does the Welfare dept in Michigan make people reapply on some sort of yearly basis, to weed out just this sort of thing.
And as for her, greedy-greedy-greedy. And I read in an earlier article about this, that her mother DEFENDED her. Saying she wasn't working and was entitled to food stamps. So we know the family tree is full of nuts.
Glad she's been charged. Now she'll have that on her record, in the case someday down the road she REALLY needs help.
Is she related to Exxon?
I hope the judge is lenient and gives her lots of community service instead of jail time. She does need to pay back the food stamp money with some interest - and the system needs to make her an example of what D-U-M-B looks / acts like.
Agreed.. make her pay the fine then pay restitution for what she took and make her work community service in lieu of time by working in a food kitchen for the poor, where she can experience real people that are hungry. The cost of keeping her in jail will outweigh whatever the dollar amount of food stamps she bilked out of the system, putting a bigger burden on the taxpayer then the original food stamp cost.
How about she pays back everything given since she was collecting social services with her winnings... Only makes sense!
Young and dumb. Hopefully she'll use what's left of that money to go to a junior college.
There was another man in Michigan back in May 2011 that won 2 million and he was still getting food stamps because it was legal to do so. The Michigan food stamp law said that lump sum money did not count against you for Food Stamps. Don't get me wrong I think it is morally reprehensible to take food stamps after winning the lottery or for that matter receiving any kind of lump sum large cash payment but if Michigan has not changed that law yet then I don't think she did anything illegal according to the Michigan statutes.
The states failure to have appropriate welfare laws is not someone's fault that is receiving benefits even if it is disgusting to do such a thing.
Even though states have laws regarding food stamps, it's a government program which means that if the government feels that fraud has occured under their regulations and usage of the program, the person is found doing something illegal. In regards to the man you are talking about, here is a direct quote from an article regarding that man:
This story can be found here: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/detriot/2m-michigan-lottery-winner-defends-food-stamps-172712202.html
Because it depends on eligibility factors, that man may have been okay, but this woman apparently was no longer eligible depending on what other information they found. So there are details missing as to what they found when the government determined that this woman was found of welfare fraud.
Yes I can agree on that. She may very well have lied about something else or anything. There are details that we are likely unaware of. However, if we just base it on the lottery winnings (unless they had recently gotten the law changed) then she was probably still legal to receive them after the lump sum payment.
But I still think it is morally and ethically wrong to do so.
This is nothing compared to what I see coming down the pike from todays youth. Hold on to your hats, this world will be run by trash worse than what we have today, and you didn't think it was possible. Todays kids are about at smart as gum on the sidewalk. Most of them can't answer the simplest of American history questions and without Twitter, Facebook and texting, they wouldn't know how to communicate. Those of you who can pull your face away from your phone to rebut me, go for it.
I'm sure your parent's generation said the same thing about you and your stupid friends too.
Actually, previous generations had faith in their kids and knew how to raise them up until roughly 1990. Everything beyond that point has pretty much slid down the toilet pipe. Now people have kids (1) not really knowing what they did to make them and (2) wanting the government or someone else to raise them instead of them being responsible themselves. To top it off, kids nowadays think everything should be handed to them and are going to find it rough when high school ends, and I'm talking about the ones who actually were able to get a diploma. The rest will just wind up on welfare and drugs.
Sorry, Ken, not buying it. There have been stupid parents for as long as there have been parents. It's just more obvious now because there are so many people in the world today. My son was born in 1990. I have a lot of faith in him and know he'll make his way comfortably through his world. I'm certain that the parents of his contemporaries that went to the same schools, participated in the same sports and other activities all through the years have an equal amount of faith in their children who - no doubt - will find their way through the world as well.
And, since I note that you draw the line at after 1990, I'll mention that an employee of mine had a daughter in 2008. He and his wife are still married, both are employed and remained employed throughout the turmoil of the last few years, both are actively involved in their daughter's life and no doubt have tremendous faith in her. They will be richly rewarded in years to come as their daughter blossoms into an amazing young woman.
SomeGuy has it right.
Very well stated, KenW. A very scarry thought also.
I disagree, Ken. I'm extremely proud of my kids and I think they'll go a lot further in life than my husband and I have. One is about to attend graduate school and one is there now. In fact, it seems he has no intention of ever stopping. He already has 2 advanced degrees and is looking into a 3rd. My husband and I paid for their undergraduate degrees but both have been on their own as far as graduate school goes. They both have good jobs and nothing has been handed to our family. My kids both work hard and save money. And you know what? Their friends do, too.
I agree wholeheartedly with Some Guy and Kronkite.
Ken: I won't argue that what you're describing isn't prevalent...it is! However, there are exceptions. I'm proud to say that my son is raising his kids responsibly...and even more strict than I was. I point this out to say that there is hope...but unfortunately, maybe too little of it!
I'd feel more optimistic about the future if he weren't the exception rather than the rule...
Lumps sums are generally exempt in the month received. However, anything remaining in the following month is considered a resource (except EITC from Federal Taxes). The limit for households in which there is no elderly or disabled person is $2k from all sources combined. Bet she went over the resource limit the month after she won. HOWEVER!!!! The only change required to be reported to an ongoing case (according to the Feds who keep relaxing the laws, BTW) is if you go over the INCOME limit. Mind you, to be income, it has to be coming in on a "regular" basis - like if she took payments rather than the lump sum. Otherwise, she doesn't have to report it until her 6 month "report" or her recertification at 6 months or a year. That's when she'd have had to declare it and if she didn't she could be charged with welfare fraud and repayment could be required.
Disgusting? You bet. Illegal? Maybe not. Embarrassing to the state? Somewhat. Embarrassing to the Feds (to those who know the policy)? Yip.
And I personally find her behaviour reprehensible. But it may not be illegal. If it wasn't, I bet you never hear about her again.
I would generally agree but this is a quote from one of the many articles about this situation on the internet.
Eligibility for food stamps is based on gross income and follows federal guidelines; lottery winnings are considered liquid assets and don't count as income. As long as Fick's gross income stays below the eligibility requirement for food stamps, he can receive them, even if he has a million dollars in the bank.
This references the guy who won but unless they got the law changed it would still apply in this case.
See my post #17.1. It has the link to the story Tara is referring to.
"I thought that they would cut me off, but since they didn't, I thought
maybe it was okay because I'm not working," Clayton told WDIV at the time.
Really?
I'm sure stupidity is not a valid excuse for committing a crime. That $700k won't last long. A couple of years from now, she'll probably be charged with tax evasion. She should've had them withhold the taxes.
Geez...
I beleive that once "income" is defined by the lawyers and judge, it will be shown that hers had indeed not changed.
People like this makes me want to switch to the GOP!
Unfortunately for this woman, she will need assistance again shortly. The $700,000 before taxes isn't going to last the next ten years, if she's already bought a second house and a new car and still has no job.
Since she wasn't working, she thought it was OK.
Gimme a break!
Not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed....eh?
I don't think she was being particularly stupid----she was taking another gamble, that no one would find out about the food stamps. I think she was making a very deliberate decision, to try the system & count on being lost in all the paperwork. Then she could have her cake & eat it too (could there be a more fitting cliche for this occasion?)
Stupid? Eh, maybe in the sense of calculating the odds that she would get away w/ it & figuring what she might lose if she didn't. But then again, maybe she figured out her back-up plan way in advance: "But I'm not working..." etc etc etc.
Dumb? My mother has always said, "yeah, dumb like a fox."