Undocumented immigrant says co-worker stole lottery winnings

An undocumented immigrant in Maryland filed a lawsuit against his coworker who he claims stole his $1 million winnings from a scratch-off lottery ticket. WRC's Richard Jordan reports.

An undocumented immigrant in Maryland is going public in an effort to claim a lottery prize he says a trusted co-worker stole.

Ramon Ortiz, an immigrant from Guatemala who lives in Hyattsville, Md., said two years ago he purchased a $20 Maryland scratch off lottery ticket and won a $1 million jackpot.

Ortiz, who doesn’t have a Social Security number, couldn’t claim the prize himself. So he asked a legal, English-speaking colleague to claim the $450,000 payout from the Maryland Lottery Commission, he said

“I never thought anything bad would happen,” Ortiz told NBCWashington.com.


 

 

 

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Ortiz, who works as a roofer, said the trusted co-worker claimed the prize, but kept it for herself. He declined to say which company he works for because he fears causing problems for them for hiring an undocumented worker. Ortiz has filed a lawsuit against his colleague, alleging fraud.

"The defendant walked away with the check and the money," Ortiz's attorney, Milt Theologou, told NBCWashington.com. "All my client got was a T-shirt and a hat."

But the co-worker’s attorney insists his client did not take anyone’s money.

“There was a confidential agreement between the two,” defense attorney Isaac Klein said. “He is making certain allegations that we are emphatically and categorically denying, and we will try our case in court.”

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“No, I didn’t have an agreement with her,” Ortiz said. “I called her and I asked, 'Can you do me a favor?' She said, 'Ok.' I said, 'Since I know I can’t speak English, I don’t have my papers, I don’t have anything, that’s why I ask.' She said, 'That’s fine.'”

Ortiz said his co-worker was supposed to turn over the full jackpot to him after she claimed the prize. The co-worker, on the other hand, insists the terms of the agreement were different but wouldn't disclose the specifics of their arrangement. She filed a motion to dismiss the case and a judge denied that request. 

Meanwhile, Ortiz and the co-worker he says betrayed him still work together and see each other regularly.

“I don’t talk to her and she doesn’t talk to me,” Ortiz said. “She just looks at me, and I’m there, quietly.”

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This isn’t the first time Ortiz has trusted someone with so much money on the line. A couple of years ago, he won $3,000 in the lottery and asked a different friend to cash in the prize. He said that time everything went as planned. 

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cant wait to read the comments on this one.

  • 13 votes
#1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:35 AM EDT

why? new here? this is one issue the standard spin baby spin just don't work no matter what they try to do.

  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:02 PM EDT

nope.just know how posters are. should be funny.

  • 5 votes
#1.2 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:07 PM EDT

Why is he still here and not on a bus or plane home?

  • 42 votes
#1.3 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:21 PM EDT
Comment author avatartxmom32Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Chew on this...

So this admitted wetback, who has defrauded the country he snuch into, is now complaing that someone has defrauded him. The absurdity of that is just staggering. Deport him now.

This ignorant wetback expected someone with a SS# to cash in for him and assume the very large taxable liability with nothing for her effort...now that sounds suspicious and should cast doubt on any jury...still we should deport him now.

This bold and cheeky wetback does not wish to name the company that he works for because they hire illegals. Deport him now and identify his company so that ICE can raid, deport and fine the employer. Punishing employers isn't that what the left is always screaming? They can also audit the employee records and determine if the employer is adequately paying employment related expenses and taxes. They can identify if any identity theft had been perpetrated to hide the use of undocumented workers.

To the co-worker who cashed the ticket...seems you managed to beat a deadbeat at his own game. I find that refreshing and very funny and by the way congrats. I think it was generous to hand over the shirt and hat.

Note to wetback who likes to gamble...sometimes you win and some times you loose. This time you lost because you were not in possession of the winning ticket when it was cashed in. You obviously have no reasonable knowledge of the US tax system or that transactions in excess of $10,000 dollars are tracked in the US. Certainly, eyebrows would have been raised for a transaction of $450,000 changing hands between a US citizen and a foreign national living without documentation in America. I'm guessing that if you needed to be a US citizen to play the lottery in Maryland then you should have kept your initial investment. So doesn't it just suck when someone takes advantage of you without respectful consideration?

  • 39 votes
#1.4 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:51 PM EDT

Because in Maryland - our politicians welcome the ILLEGALS with open arms!

  • 8 votes
#1.5 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:53 PM EDT

"Wetback", TXmom? True to your racist Southern roots, I see. I'll bet your family proudly displays dried bits of flesh cut from the "guest of honor" at lynching picnics, too, don't they?

  • 10 votes
#1.6 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:59 PM EDT

TXmom - Surely you can make a point without using derogatory slurs. All you've really accomplished is making yourself look like a total jerk.

  • 14 votes
#1.7 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:13 PM EDT

txmom...too bad your total bigotry clouded over your good points. I disgusts me to admit you have some valid points. Since your name has MOM in it...I suppose its too late to ask you to not breed so at least TRY and make a half hearted effort to hide your racism from your kids. We don't need it anymore. Seriously.

Make your point...minus the bigotry and maybe more people will take you seriously.

  • 10 votes
#1.8 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:14 PM EDT

He's not undocumented -- he's ILLEGAL. Why can't MSNBC get off the left train and call it like it is. Being BOcorrect? Wussies!

  • 28 votes
#1.9 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:25 PM EDT

No tickie no laundry. He is not a citizen. End of story.

  • 18 votes
#1.10 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:30 PM EDT

In the state of Illinois, you must pay anything you owe the state and other lawful debts, like alimony or child support, before you receive the prize money. This CRIMINAL should not receive a dime of that money.

  • 17 votes
#1.11 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:43 PM EDT

"The defendant walked away with the check and the money," Ortiz's attorney, Milt Theologou, told NBCWashington.com. "All my client got was a T-shirt and a hat."

I hope the t-shirt reads "ORTIZ, GO HOME!"

  • 14 votes
#1.12 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:45 PM EDT

Dotties girl

He's not undocumented -- he's ILLEGAL. Why can't MSNBC get off the left train and call it like it is. Being BOcorrect? Wussies!

How dare MSNBC not use derogatory words that are not even grammatically correct. A human being can not be illegal, their behavior can be, but they cannot. It makes no sense except to the rabid idiots who want to whip up people's emotional states while simultaneously defiling others.

IOW, it makes them feel good by putting others down and not using their native language correctly. A celebration of stupidity if you will.

  • 5 votes
#1.13 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:47 PM EDT

Wyoming Catt

"Wetback", TXmom? True to your racist Southern roots, I see. I'll bet your family proudly displays dried bits of flesh cut from the "guest of honor" at lynching picnics, too, don't they?

I see you're one of those "YANKEE, GO HOME!" jerks. But the truth is that even presidents of Mexico have called those illegal aliens "wetbacks" for stealing jobs from the Mexican braceros that were contracted to work in the US for a certain pay scale. The wetbacks would work for less money thus screwing the braceros, their own people.

Now APOLOGIZE to txmom 32!

  • 12 votes
#1.14 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:51 PM EDT

Dottie, my sentiments exactly. I thought the story was about an immigrant, not an illegal alien.

(And by the way, "illegal alien" is the term used for someone in the country illegally in the Federal Code.)

  • 7 votes
#1.15 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:01 PM EDT

I'm just shaking my head....this man has admitted that he is in this country illegally. He is attempting to slander his co-worker by calling her a thief, because he valued his illegal status over our laws and you folks are concerned about the term "wetback".

Just so you know that many illegals still swim the Rio Grand to get into this country. They also pay nice transportation fees to the cartels and other unscrupulous groups to bring them and their minor aged children into this country. They are transported all day long hidden from view because their intentions are perverted to their own favor. They support the drug trade, they support human trafficking and they support the bondage of young unsuspecting Latino girls and boys to stock their low rent bordellos used to satisfy their personal sexual gratification.

I have no intention of being PC when it comes to this sort of scum infiltrating my country and then crying foul because his scheme didn't work.

So here is how it should go...confiscate his personal property, return him to our southern border and let him figure out how he will get back to his family.

Calling this admitted immigration criminal a wetback is not racist nor bigoted. I have no problem with those of Latin heritage that share my citizenship nor do I have a problem with any immigrant who enters this country legally to improve their opportunity in life. I feel quite welcome and well within my right to say that if you are sneaking into my country without checking in at the border or overstaying a visa to stay in this country you are a criminal and absolutely no better than any of your drug dealing countrymen. If you would prefer I could refer to the lot of the criminals as vermin?

As for your imagery of cutting flesh and lynching....are you really that big a drama queen?

Collapsing my free speech when all I did was choose an adequate adjective makes you seem weak and well rather ineffective in your own ability to speak.

  • 18 votes
#1.16 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:02 PM EDT

Because the guy's illegal?

Because pointing that out makes us racist?

Come on, answer the question!

  • 6 votes
#1.17 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:08 PM EDT

First, a declaration that I am adamantly anti-illegals.

Now, for a dose of legal reality: I just read the Maryland lottery rules, and contrary to some of the posts here, it does not appear to be illegal for a foreigner to play the lottery (or even an illegal...change the rules if you want), or even to collect if they win. What does happen is that there are specific IRS forms to fill out (maybe state forms too), and the taxes are taken out before any money is paid.

This is no different from foreign nationals playing in the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament, and taking home money. The only difference between them, and a citizen, is that the tax procedure is different to ensure that a foreigner does not leave the country with no possibility of paying the taxes.

It comes down to poor wording in the story: "Ortiz, who doesn’t have a Social Security number, couldn’t claim the prize himself", when in fact, it is more like he was afraid to collect.

So if it is his ticket (I tend to believe it is based on the lawyer admitting some kind of deal), shame on the colleague. Now give him the money, and put him on a plane back to his country...at his expense since he can now afford it.

  • 11 votes
#1.18 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:22 PM EDT

So this admitted wetback, who has defrauded the country he snuch into, is now complaing that someone has defrauded him. The absurdity of that is just staggering. Deport him now.

This ignorant wetback expected someone with a SS# to cash in for him and assume the very large taxable liability with nothing for her effort...now that sounds suspicious and should cast doubt on any jury...still we should deport him now.

Txmom: You realise the $550,000 withheld from the million dollar prize would pay the taxes and give her a hefty refund don't you? Or maybe you don't. I pity your kids they'll grow up to be as hate filled as you.

  • 2 votes
#1.19 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:26 PM EDT

So this guy gets to pick and choose which laws he wants to obey, but everyone around him has to obey them all? Ortiz needs to be following all the laws himself. Maybe he can start with returning to his country of origin, and paying all the back taxes he owes for years of working for cash under the table, and then he has the right to talk about having the laws defend him. He's a liar and a tax cheat as well as the fact he entered the US illegally. If he had done things right from the beginning, there wouldn't have ever been a problem. No sympathy, and now, Ortiz go home!

  • 11 votes
#1.20 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:30 PM EDT

Larry...do you dispute that Ortiz expected to regain all of the proceeds of the lottery? That is what he claims in his suit. Do you dispute that there is an income tax liability to the woman who cashed in the ticket? She certainly is not going to reclaim the majority of her proceeds after federal taxes and any state taxes. If you honestly believe that she will see any reasonable portion of that back feel free to let us know what that number is? I would love to know my guess is that Ortiz had no idea either or he would have wanted that share back too.

OK I fess up because I doubt you have any idea what the true tax is here we go from the source e-how money

http://www.ehow.com

According to e-how depending on the state lottery winnings can be taxed in excess of 50% for the prize. This is probably why the took more than 50% before they awarded the prize. In addition many states will reduce the award amount if taken in one lump sum as opposed to payout over time. That is just step 1 because what is left over from the winnings is added to gross income and then subject to more tax.

Don't feel sorry for my children...at least I am smart enough to be able to explain how the proceeds of a lottery can be reduced down rather quickly.

  • 4 votes
#1.21 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:54 PM EDT

Plain and simple he and his family should be deported after deducting the costs for it from his winnings. Two the co worker should get prison time for theft, aiding illegal aliens, and fraud, the roofing company should be fined for hiring illegals. But he should get the cash after deportation costs.

  • 7 votes
#1.22 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:10 PM EDT

Larry...do you dispute that Ortiz expected to regain all of the proceeds of the lottery? That is what he claims in his suit. Do you dispute that there is an income tax liability to the woman who cashed in the ticket? She certainly is not going to reclaim the majority of her proceeds after federal taxes and any state taxes. If you honestly believe that she will see any reasonable portion of that back feel free to let us know what that number is? I would love to know my guess is that Ortiz had no idea either or he would have wanted that share back too.

Txmom: Yes I dispute it as it clearly say's in the article he's suing for the $450,000 payout I, unlike you have the ability to read. The article clearly states he expected the $450,000 that remained after taxes were taken out. Maryland lottery requires federal taxes and Maryland taxes are withheld in full and yes the $550,000 more than covers the liability. As a thinking person I realise no matter how you do the math receiving a T-shirt and a hat out of a million dollar scratcher isn't sufficient as he never received any cash. Better rethink your math and racist attitude.

  • 1 vote
#1.23 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:37 PM EDT

Shouldn't we just use the term "HUMAN TRAFFICKERS" to all these weasels? That's the term the United Nations uses for anyone making a profit by crossing a border illegally. They didn't exclude self trafficking.

  • 2 votes
#1.24 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:50 PM EDT

ScottW714

!How dare MSNBC not use derogatory words that are not even grammatically correct. A human being can not be illegal, their behavior can be, but they cannot. It makes no sense except to the rabid idiots who want to whip up people's emotional states while simultaneously defiling others.

Allow me to explain it in simple terms for you. If I am stopped in my vehicle, and I don't have my driver's license in my possession, then I am an undocumented driver. If I don't have a driver's license at all, then I am an illegal driver. Now substitute "immigration papers" for "driver's license" and substitute "alien" for "driver."

  • 1 vote
#1.25 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:07 PM EDT

No illegal should ever reap the reward of winning anything in this country. From a lawsuit, game contest, a place to sit in our colleges, to the lotto. Who cares if he bought the winning ticket, he can NOT collect on it, and more importantly he knew he could NOT collect on it. If he gave it to his neighbor (whatever) than it's a gift to that person, otherwise the money should go back into the general lotto fund to have a drawing for it at a later date.

Deport all illegals now!

  • 6 votes
#1.26 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:22 PM EDT

FOR SAKE OF ARGUMENT. This undocumented worker is a criminal. During his activities while being a criminal he lost money then wants a judge to rule in his favor. This will be a very interesting thing to watch.

  • 1 vote
#1.27 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 6:40 PM EDT

Last time I checked.. the US constitution applied to citizens of the USA and others here LEGALLY.

Seeing as how his presence in the USA is illegal, he has no right to claim profits "earned" in the comission of such.

He should be deported at the first hearing he shows up at .

Then again , doesn't obamas illegal immigrant aunt live in public housing in the same state ?

As far as the coworker goes... wow what a pos too .

  • 1 vote
#1.28 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:35 PM EDT

Google "operation wetback" its a government term....and we need to do it again...I have friends that need jobs.

  • 1 vote
#1.29 - Fri Sep 14, 2012 1:56 AM EDT

Ortiz has just experienced what poor Americans do every day when politicians side with the criminals from Mexico and give them the DREAM that was paid for in American blood.

  • 1 vote
#1.30 - Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:30 AM EDT

txmom and angela LD = RACISTS!!! Ugly inside!!! No Souls!! EVIL

    #1.31 - Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:58 AM EDT
    Reply

    Since he cannot legally collect the prize, I would say he's not entitled to it. And if the courts determine that the woman is not entitled to the money, it should be returned back to the state. Oh, and deport his ass!

    • 64 votes
    #2 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:50 AM EDT

    I say send the money to me instead of the state. But I will be generous and buy his plane ticket home.

    • 13 votes
    #2.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:46 PM EDT

    He was not legally allowed to play the lottery so the prize money should revert to the state. It certainly should not go to this illegal who should be on a plane home right now, not going to court to try and get money he is not entitled to. If you can not legally collect the prize you have no business playing. If the co-worker did in fact steal the money they should go to prison for theft as well as criminal conspiracy since collecting the money for someone who is not entitled to it is also a crime.

    • 7 votes
    #2.2 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:52 PM EDT
    Comment author avatartxmom32Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

    I don't think they can prove the ticket was not hers. The wetback handed it over to her and she cashed it in, she paid taxes on it.

    • 7 votes
    #2.3 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:53 PM EDT

    wow, everyone in Texas a bigot txmom32? Not a surprise - don't you people execute mentally handicapped people there? LOL

    • 4 votes
    #2.4 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:58 PM EDT

    You are a dumb ass Dan. If they execute mentally handicapped in Texas you better stay outta there !

    • 14 votes
    #2.5 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:18 PM EDT

    Is it legal for a citizen of another country to play the lottery? If not, then he shouldn't get a dime if it regardless of his "status" in the country.

    • 3 votes
    #2.6 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:55 PM EDT

    Its not illegal for a illegal immigrant to play or win the lottery in Maryland. This guy should of just showed up to claim his prize, they have employees who speak spanish no doubt.

    The only change for a illegal immigrant claiming a prize ( since they have no social security number ) is..they have to pay 30% in federal taxes besides the state taxes. After getting the prize money the person maybe deported too!

    Back in 2005 a illegal immigrant from Ghana won $213 Million in Maryland!

    • 2 votes
    #2.7 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:05 PM EDT

    txmom32...As a fellow Texan who has had property stolen and destroyed by illegals, I can understand your anger and frustration with the situation, but the term you use isn't helping with the debate. Liberals looks for any excuse to play the race and bigotry card to deflect from the real issue.

    (Border Patrol agents where I frequent near the border have caught Hispanics, Asians and Russians. I'm not sure what libs will call me for referring to a Caucasian Russian as an illegal, but I'm certain they'll try and twist it into something evil.)

    • 3 votes
    #2.8 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:08 PM EDT

    "Winners who do not possess a social security number are subject to a 30% federal income tax deduction on any prize over $599.50." With a SS #..its 25% federal tax deduction.

    This is the lottery rules.

    • 3 votes
    #2.9 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:26 PM EDT

    Well, like it or not, if there are no rules actually specifying that one must be an American citizen to play the lottery, his legal or illegal status really doesn't matter, does it?

    And before you start jumping on me for supporting illegal immigrants, I'm not. If you are willing to go through the process to become a citizen, good for you, give it your best, and I hope you succeed. If, however, you have no desire to do so, GTFO, don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out, and don't come back!

    But it seems many here are missing the real point here. His co-worker let greed get the better of her, and saw a chance to take advantage of another human being whom she thought was defenseless against her greedy ambitions. And any of you who think this is an OK thing to do to anyone, well I have just one thing to say to you, and you had best take heed

    Karma is a b*tch!

    • 1 vote
    #2.10 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:08 PM EDT

    txmom32...As a fellow Texan who has had property stolen and destroyed by illegals, I can understand your anger and frustration with the situation, but the term you use isn't helping with the debate. Liberals looks for any excuse to play the race and bigotry card to deflect from the real issue.

    So this person spews racist terms such as wetback and you accuse liberals of looking for bigotry. Wow, you're as bad as she is. A proud sheet wearing, bible thumping racist. I'll give you credit you at least are smart enough to advise hiding your racist views so you can pretend to be unbiased. Hard to focus on the real issues when hate gets in the way.

    • 2 votes
    #2.11 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:42 PM EDT

    The fact is he can claim any amount of abuse and fraud that he wishes....he gave her the ticket. She claims there was a verbal agreement but disputes his claims. In short he gave her the ticket to claim as her own. I hope the court awards her the proceeds.

    hs321....the point of me using that term "wetback" is that there are those who have no problem with this "poor and downtrodden" man from calling his co-worker a thief. How is it acceptable for him to call her a thief, when it is not proved, and it is unsavory for me to call him a wetback when he admittedly is in this country illegally and defrauding the State of Maryland and the Federal Government of their share of his income? He has put himself out there on public display and quite honestly it will probably prove to be a mistake.

    My deeper frustration beyond, property the Crown Royal or canned goods getting stolen from the hunting camp or uninsured/unlicensed motorists or even the vast resources spent to teach in bilingual settings...those are really in the scope of things nominal monetary arguments....My deeper concern and true disgust is that men like this come to this country and thrive in a sick and twisted underworld of crime, the drugs, the prostitutes the claiming that they are discriminated against and guess what...it is nothing but a dodge of personal responsibility. It is attempting to denigrate our rule of law because they have no respect for a civilized society and they have no problem importing that contempt.

    The issue that is most concerning is that of human trafficking. Most of the country don't get that to be a heinous problem. They don't understand that be it Mexico or the far east there are depraved groups that will lure and then hold hostage young girls and boys to offer them up to these pools of illegal men as prostitutes. They actually lure them with the promise that their entry will be with in the law. Some mothers or fathers will come to the US and pay the cartels and their agents to traffic their children to this country knowing that once they are here our Nation will care for them and the parents get to assume some sort of back door legitimacy. But all too often, the cost for transport goes up and the children are threatened unless their family pays more. What sort of parent will pay huge sums to the lowest form of life considering they are trusting their children to them. Often times the drug smuggling and human trafficking go hand in hand. If border patrol actually catches these kids their parents don't step forward to claim them, they let ICE deport them without a second thought or concern to what has happened to their own flesh and blood. I am sure you have read the same news stories about children who have died in this effort and no one claims their bodies...so how many do we not hear about who's remains lay in the desert forgotten.

    Wetback...is racist? Then exactly what is it called when a parent has a depraved indifference toward their own children? What is it called when a day laborer can pay $5 to lay with a girl or a boy who truly believed someone was offering them the American dream?

    • 1 vote
    #2.12 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:51 PM EDT

    Do you seriously trust the money in the hands of the state?

      #2.13 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 5:27 PM EDT

      "Wetback" is a mild term considerering that these rats are stealing resources meant to feed America's poor.

      • 2 votes
      #2.14 - Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:32 AM EDT

      The wetback handed it over to her and she cashed it in

      txmom32, don't use racial slurs please. You are suspended for a day for violating rule # 5 of the Code of Honor.

      • 2 votes
      #2.15 - Fri Sep 14, 2012 4:24 PM EDT

      txmom....you are an idiot!! You think you are making great points but you just sound stupid! Way to place every mexican as no working, selling prostitutes, selling drugs, thieves etc...... What does any of that have to do with the fact he won a ticket and some sorry friend stole it from him? If he won it then he should get it. Most of you are here from stealing the land in the first place so I don't see how you can sit there and claim this land or country as yours in the first place....

        #2.16 - Thu Sep 20, 2012 12:09 PM EDT
        Reply

        tsk tsk, poor ILLEGAL immigrant, tell ya what mr ortiz why don't ya catch up with that no papers / no fears bus drive down to your local ICE office and demand they do their job. and dont forget to take your fellow Illegal co-workers with you.

        • 27 votes
        Reply#3 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:50 AM EDT

        Good...serves him right. Can we please hold our gov't accountable for not deporting illegals? How can someone who is here illegally sue anyone in the first place? They should not be protected by our laws. I think it is time we start rooting through ladscape business', the day workers at Home Dept/ 7-11 etc., and construction companies...

        • 27 votes
        Reply#4 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:51 AM EDT

        I feel sorry for the US citizen who would have walked into the store and rightfully purchased that ticket.. Some illegal just messed it up for a hard working citizen...

        • 18 votes
        #4.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:24 PM EDT

        If he wins the suit, let's see if he puts that 4350K towards doing somehting right like, oh, maybe trying to become a legal resident of the US? In another article he indicated he had planned ot send all 450K back to his family in Guatemala...he didn't mention any intention of actually becoming a law abiding US resident, let alone citizen.

        • 11 votes
        #4.2 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:47 PM EDT

        How about if he wins the suit he pays the taxpayers money back for services that he's used ILLegally in this country!

        • 8 votes
        #4.3 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:30 PM EDT

        Lynn, if he wins the suit he should hand deliver the money to his family in Guatemala and just stay there.

        States should require photo ID to play the lottery since you have to be here legally and be over 18 to play. But, the ACLU would probably argue that would discriminate againt minorities....

        • 1 vote
        #4.4 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:49 PM EDT

        Todd that is an interesting point...it could disenfranchise the illegal and poor from gambling away their welfare proceeds.

        • 2 votes
        #4.5 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:09 PM EDT

        No matter what the final outcome is I feel confident that attorneys will end up with most of the money.

        • 1 vote
        #4.6 - Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:23 AM EDT
        Reply

        By the time this works it's way through court, and, assuming he wins, and after paying legal fees, then a visit by the IRS, Mr. Illegal Alien should have enough money left to upgrade the seat on his deportation flight to Business Class or even First Class! AMERICAAAAAHAAAAAAAHHAAAAAAA, F&*K - YEAH ! Only winner here will be the lawyer's wallet.

        • 14 votes
        Reply#5 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:51 AM EDT

        So true Clam... The lawyers always get paid. Perhaps his lawter will pay for his flight home ?

          #5.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:44 PM EDT
          Reply

          He had no right to the prize in the first place...having said that the woman co-worker is a scumbag for agreeing to do it and then keeping the money...

          • 22 votes
          Reply#6 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:52 AM EDT

          If this guy is stupid enough to "invest" in a gamble that is impossible for him to win/claim then he clearly deserves to be taken advantage of. She is just an opportunist. He should have gotten some collateral for the ticket or any number of other options that gave him some form of leverage.

          • 6 votes
          #6.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:08 PM EDT

          I like her!

          • 3 votes
          #6.2 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:30 PM EDT
          Reply

          Karma. Follow the law and all else will fall into place.

          • 20 votes
          Reply#7 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:52 AM EDT

          AMEN to that!

          • 7 votes
          #7.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:04 PM EDT
          Reply

          note;

          Richard Jordan, NBCWashington.com and the whole NBC "news" staff

          Why not try REPORTING the news and not put your standard spin, baby spin, P.C. crap along with it?...the term is ILLEGAL ALIEN not "undocumented worker". no matter how much you polish a turd you still end up with a turd.

          • 22 votes
          Reply#8 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:55 AM EDT

          sub note;

          Ortiz, who doesn’t have a Social Security number, couldn’t claim the prize himself. So he asked a legal, English-speaking colleague to claim the $450,000 payout from the Maryland Lottery Commission, he said

          you obviously have absolutely NO PROBLEM identifying the fact the "colleague" was legal. Why is that?

          • 9 votes
          #8.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:19 PM EDT

          MSNBC doesn't want to offend anyone that might vote for our pos potus ?

            #8.2 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:46 PM EDT

            MSNBC Loves stirring up stories like this......just trying to start race wars! Or bring out all the racists, which it does.....expecially txmom!! She is at the rally deep in the woods somewhere drawing swastikas and saluting to their flag. Shaving her ol mans head again......

              #8.3 - Thu Sep 20, 2012 2:32 PM EDT
              Reply

              If you are illegal than you are not entitled to the money, you get enough of government money that others who are HERE LEGALLY could be using.

              • 13 votes
              Reply#9 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:59 AM EDT

              Legally has has no right to the lottery prize since he's not a legal US citizen. However if there is a binding agreement between two parties (regardless of legal status) then the undocumented worker has a case.

              Regardless though he should surrender any judgements he receives to pay for his undocumented stay in the States.

              • 5 votes
              Reply#10 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:00 PM EDT

              No actually the state has a case to take the money back-he had no right to the prize therefore he has no case. It's like syaing well I stole that money all by myself and she stole it from me so I can legally sue her because I stole it first

              • 6 votes
              #10.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:37 PM EDT

              he's gotta prove it was his ticket first and how do you do that?

                #10.2 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:31 PM EDT

                Dottie: The store that sold him the winning ticket probably has surveillance cameras in the store. Law enforcement and/or lottery officials can have the surveillance tapes reviewed to see if he was the buyer of the ticket. This method has been used a few times when there's been a question of rightful ownership of a winning lottery ticket. One thing that does come into question though, is did the person he trusted to come forward and claim the prize, sign the back of the ticket with her name?? In order to claim a prize, the winning card has to be signed on the back of the ticket.

                  #10.3 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:06 PM EDT

                  Dotties girl

                  he's gotta prove it was his ticket first and how do you do that?

                  By a state lottery agent going to the store where the ticket was bought to see if anyone remembers Ortiz buying a ticket. Thats a start, at least. If they find out he did in fact buy the ticket then the way to settle the matter is to make the ticket null and void....nobody gets the money. The woman thief should be made to return the winnings and yes, if he is illegal/undocumented, he should be deported. I feel for the poor of other countries looking for a better way of life by trying to get to the USA and find work but the law is the law. He was doing roofing work, I'm sure there are unemployed roofers who would have wanted his job. The owner of the roofing company should be fined for giving an illegal a job, usually it's greed for the motivation of the hire, employers paying much less than the minimum wage. The problem with this is the roofing company may be low balling other roofing companies bids because they can, by employing low wage illegals.

                    #10.4 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 5:12 PM EDT
                    Reply

                    Ok, getting ripped off is a bad thing. Being here illegally he has no right to that money. If you want to live and work here fine, do it the legal way. I'm sick of catering to people who move here, change our way of life i.e. no pledge of allegence etc. You moved here if you don't like it then leave, stop sucking up benefits that are not legally yours and quite changing the country I was born in. Name one other country that you can go to that you can say "that offends me" and the enitre country changes so your feelings aren't hurt? I don't feel a bit sorry, for him. Its called fraud!!!!

                    • 9 votes
                    Reply#11 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:01 PM EDT

                    That illegal just sucked up the winnings of the next person who would have rightfully won that prize...

                    Be HONEST folks and tell me how you feel about illegals being here if THEY were in front of YOU standing in line to buy a ticket, and THEY cheated YOU out of millions... tell the truth.

                    • 10 votes
                    #11.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:26 PM EDT

                    the illegals are already cheating us out of BILLIONS between education, food stamps, medicaid, section 8 housing, etc.

                    • 4 votes
                    #11.2 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:32 PM EDT

                    Once again the illegal immigrant sues for his rights....what rights? YOU HAVE NONE! You knew you were not entitled to the money that is why you sent your friend. You should still not receive the money. Give it to the state where you are probably collecting welfare and being paid under the table. Deport his butt back to where ever he came from and call it a good lesson. The government won't do anything because due to our retarded president. We might as well open the borders to all..no papers no biggie. Thanks Obama.

                    • 5 votes
                    #11.3 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:44 PM EDT

                    stop sucking up benefits that are not legally yours

                    Well they wouldn't be here if we didn't have extravagant welfare programs that will ultimately make the US bankrupt. Ending welfare in this country would strengthen our immigration policy.

                      #11.4 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 5:26 PM EDT
                      Reply

                      She turned the tables on him. Good for her.

                      • 7 votes
                      Reply#12 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:03 PM EDT

                      Too bad, so sad. Now GTFO.

                      • 8 votes
                      Reply#13 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:04 PM EDT

                      Maybe the defendant thought the terms of the agreement were - you give me the lottery ticket and I won't call immigration on you.

                      It goes to show the ridiculousness of what we've become that an illegal immigrant is suing someone with absolutely no fear of being deported and nothing of it mentioned in the story and nothing mentioned of his employer and how they hired him or any of that, while we have states that want to enforce immigration laws and they are being blasted for it.

                      And while I lean more towards the liberal side, that the term used in this story is 'undocumented' is f'n ridiculous.

                      • 10 votes
                      Reply#14 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:04 PM EDT

                      "Too bad, so sad. Now GTFO."

                      Go tether Frank's orangutan? Was that really necessary?

                      • 2 votes
                      #14.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:31 PM EDT
                      Reply

                      Reminds me of years ago when cali first started their state lottery. The top prize at the time was 1 million paid out over 20 years.
                      Well it didn't take long for an illegal to win.
                      They decided he was eligible to cash in,they deported him but still paid him the yearly installments so I don't think he gave a @!$%#. What a country!

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#15 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:08 PM EDT

                      Has the IRS pulled him in to ask him to see all his tax returns for th time he has been in the country ILLEGALLY. I am hoping that with fines penalties and interst that the total adds up to $450,000 so even if court finds for his him he still gets nothing

                      • 8 votes
                      Reply#16 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:08 PM EDT

                      He can't file with the IRS because he doesn't have a legal Social Security number.

                      • 1 vote
                      #16.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:03 PM EDT
                      Reply

                      It's hard to feel sorry for stupid people, though I guess they deserve some form of pity. Neither deserve the money. And just who did Ortiz think was going to pay tax on it?

                      • 4 votes
                      Reply#17 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:09 PM EDT

                      he won't snitch out his employer? wonder how many more work this crew? sounds like his employer is ILLEGAL as well... if not, harboring a known lawbreaker or fugitive ( which he become upon illegally entering the U.S.) is a felony is it not.? go bust em all and find out.

                      • 11 votes
                      Reply#18 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:10 PM EDT

                      What about the company that knowingly hired this guy?! How many companys are getting away with this? It's a shame he trusted her to do the right thing but since you are here illegally you are not entitled to enjoy the rights of our citizens. What kind of lawyer would take his case, anyway??

                      • 8 votes
                      Reply#19 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:12 PM EDT

                      An undocumented worker getting screwed over an American? Shirley this is unprecedented?

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#20 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:12 PM EDT

                      dont like it dont come. ILLEGALLY anyway....... and please dont call me shirley...............:)

                      • 3 votes
                      #20.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:27 PM EDT
                      Reply

                      If he had been here legally, and spoke english, and paid taxes and had a social security number, he would not have this problem would he?????

                      • 15 votes
                      Reply#21 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:13 PM EDT

                      Here we go again NBC get your heads out of your Ass 8)

                      Undocumented Immigrant WTF is this @!$%# he is a Illegal Alien nothing more nothing less.

                      I do not feel pity for him at all this is what he gets for not going through the process and becoming an American.

                      Get It he broke the law he gets NOTHING but a swift deportation kick in the ASS.

                      • 10 votes
                      Reply#22 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:17 PM EDT

                      Illegal aliens cannot collect lottery money because they aren't legally supposed to be here in the first place. Period end of story. We are gonna start seeing more and more illegals in the media with sob stories I'm afraid. As for the woman who claimed the prize if she possessed the ticket then I believe she is entitled to the money and he shouldn't have been dumb enough to give her the ticket in the first place.

                      • 4 votes
                      Reply#23 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:17 PM EDT

                      Honestly I'd have done the same thing she did except for hiring him in the first place

                      • 1 vote
                      #23.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:18 PM EDT

                      she didn't hire him, but is complacent to the fact that the company they work for KNOWINGLY employs ILLEGAL ALIENS. therefor weather or not he will give up his employer is a moot point. just look at HER tax returns, note employer and bingo. start busting people. Its no longer an ICE issue now we are talking The I.R.S. ....and they will get you....no mater what.

                      • 3 votes
                      #23.2 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:34 PM EDT
                      Reply

                      Two years ago things were different. Now, Obama has a policy in place of not deporting illegals who have not committed any crimes (other than being here illegally).

                      The co-worker is a thief. Legal or not, she is a thief. The company she works for should be wary of having her dishonest ass working for them, and now both she and this guy are dragging them into the spotlight. He may not want to mention who they are, but come on! It's ridiculous to think the company name won't come to light.

                      I think he's ready to go home to his country and wants his money. If he didn't receive any social services while he was here, give it to him and let him go. If he did, deduct whatever he received and let him go. If he dropped any anchor babies while he was here, confiscate the money and place it into a fund to pay for their future education.

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#24 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:17 PM EDT

                      Said policy by Obama is unconstitutional. He can't unilaterally decide who and who not to deport. The law determines that.

                      • 7 votes
                      #24.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:19 PM EDT

                      Well, he's doing it, isn't he? Would you feel better if I said his administration has decided to do it? Is he not his administration?

                      • 1 vote
                      #24.2 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:30 PM EDT

                      You don't know what you are saying, just shoting from the hip. Obama has deported more than any President. As far as the winning, he does not deserve the monies and the girl /give it back because it was not her ticket and she did not spend a dime on it... give the monies back to the state and the state do something with it maybe create a job.

                        #24.3 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:34 PM EDT

                        "t" Obama has deported more than any President.

                        thats hype, study your history. or google it.

                        • 4 votes
                        #24.4 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:38 PM EDT

                        I agree with you screminmimi. Maybe he doesn't deserve the winnings but I would not want to be in the co-worker's shoes when Karma comes knocking.

                        • 1 vote
                        #24.5 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:50 PM EDT

                        IA. Scooter Tramp--------------------

                        Authorities deported a record number of immigrants in 2011, undercutting the Republican charge that President Obama is soft on immigration.

                        While Republicans have portrayed Obama as a pro-amnesty president who regularly sidesteps immigration laws, the data tells a different story. TheDepartment of Homeland Security reported on Friday that Obama presided over the deportation of 391,953 immigrants in 2011, slightly lower than the all-time record set in 2009, also under his presidency. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/382534/20120910/obama-deportation-deportations-2011-record-immigration-amnesty.htm

                        • 1 vote
                        #24.6 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:16 PM EDT

                        IA.ScooterTramp

                        "t" Obama has deported more than any President.

                        thats hype, study your history. or google it.

                        From Google:

                        The record-setting deportation of illegal immigrants under President Obama has drawn scorn from Hispanic Americans, despite recent administration efforts to temper the policy, according to a new Pew Hispanic Center study.

                        Fifty-nine percent of Latinos said they disapprove of the president's approach to removing illegal immigrants, more than double the number who said they approved in Pew's nationwide survey.

                        Among Latino registered voters, the sentiment was nearly as strong, with 52 percent disapproving of the Obama administration's handling of deportations.

                        Since 2009, the annual average number of deportations has approached 400,000, according to the Department of Homeland Security. That's double the annual average during President George W. Bush's first term and 30 percent higher than the average when he left office.

                        • 1 vote
                        #24.7 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:36 PM EDT

                        @screm....

                        Wrong. While Obama (illegally) deferred the deportation of some illegals, they have to meet certain criteria (age wise & otherwise). Which is all a huge joke, considering the fact that undocumented means without papers; therefore no proof. So how can one prove he is only 30 instead of 34 or 35yrs?! He has NO papers, no proof!

                        Regardless, this man would not be entitled to playing the lottery and claiming any winnings because (even if & that is a huge even if) participating in the amnesty joke-of-a-program he isn't a citizen and he would not be entitled to the rights of full citizens - like voting (which is the only reason Obama allowed this fake program so he could be re-elected by illegals who have no right to vote).

                        How is this man going to prove the ticket was his? Did he sign the back? If he did, then the so called co-worker could not have cashed it in because she would have had to prove she was him. He is just saying...which won't get him far. I still don't understand how an illegal is allowed representation in a case like this? Who is paying for the attorney? It better not be Us, the legal citizens!

                        Karma will get him and if for some reason Karma doesn't - the IRS certainly will! It is this little thing called taxes and since the President has no problem in violating the law, allowing others to violate the laws of this land, you can bet your bottom dollar that the IRS will stop at nothing to collect back taxes, current taxes - even without a social security number.

                        @wheels460 - Obama is soft on immigration. Yes, his deportation numbers are decent, but why this joke of a program (hey, maybe it is election time) with fake criteria??!! The very nature of undocumented means without papers, without proof. Again, without official paperwork how stupid would we be to believe that they are only 30 because they say so. That they went to school when they said they did, etc... They violated the law to get here, they violated the law in staying here, lies & more lies - so now, all of a sudden we are supposed to believe they are telling the truth (about all these so called criteria they have to meet) and are law abiding "citizens"?!!! Please. Obama wants to look the other way - you scratch my back & I'll scratch yours, tit for tat.

                          #24.8 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:45 PM EDT

                          "t" Obama has deported more than any President.

                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Pray tell me, what stops them from jumping back over the border and back into their illegal lives here, the very next day?

                          Yeah, NOTHING...

                          • 1 vote
                          #24.9 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:34 PM EDT
                          Reply

                          Undocumented workers are legal immigrants who, for some reason, lack the proper paperwork to prove they are here legally. This man is an illegal immigrant, a criminal who has no legal right to be living in this country. The title of this story is factually inaccurate.

                          I believe the guy should collect the winnings, then be deported.

                          • 4 votes
                          Reply#25 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:17 PM EDT

                          Right, give him a million dollars and deport him. That'll show him.

                          • 5 votes
                          #25.1 - Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:41 PM EDT

                          If he remains in the United States, HE WINS!

                            #25.2 - Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:35 AM EDT
                            Reply
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