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Courtesy Sunshine Cleaning Systems
Cleaning service worker Patrick Morgan, second from left, was honored for his honesty Wednesday, in front of airport officials, his bosses, colleagues and the media.
A cleaning service worker at a Florida airport found an iPad – with $13,000 stuffed in its case – and turned it in. He then gave away the small reward he got from the owner to two people in need.
But that honesty and kindness paid off for Patrick Morgan, who was honored in a recognition ceremony Wednesday, NBCMiami.com reported.
Back in December, Morgan had spotted the lost iPad and hefty sum of cash when he was working an early shift at Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
"I opened it first, and I saw all the money, and I quickly closed it back up," said Morgan, of Patrick's Cleaning Service.
Just minutes after Morgan alerted authorities about his discovery, the panicked iPad owner returned and gave Morgan $60 as a reward. Morgan then gave away some of the $60 to a homeless woman at the airport and the rest to a struggling cleaning employee.
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To honor that honesty, the Broward County Aviation Department in Florida presented Morgan with a gift and plaque on Wednesday. His employer, Sunshine Cleaning Systems, also gave him $625, equivalent to a week of paid vacation, according to NBCMiami.com. This time, he said he'll keep the money, NBCMiami.com reported.
"Patrick is such an outstanding and honest person," Larry Calufetti, president of Sunshine Cleaning Systems, said in a statement. "What he did speaks volumes about his personality."
Morgan was reportedly brought to tears during Wednesday's ceremony: "It’s just a good feeling to know that I returned it and that's the bottom line. I wasn't looking for anything."
NBCMiami.com's Julia Bagg contributed to this story.
Leave a Comment:
There is a word to describe this kind of person:
A$$#0le.
You sound a little bitter that the man was rewarded for his honesty.
Sees Thru Gloss
Well, we can see where you will someday end up. Thieves have this thing called KARMA to get them back.
S U C K E R
I bet this was a mispost,troll,or being facetious,guys
DA's like yourself would have kept the iPad and money. The gang that left it for initiation purposes track you down with it and blast you into oblivion...see how karma works?
This guy is a saint and you have the gaul to criticize him? *eyeroll* =S
So there STILL are nice people out there? Quite inspiring!
If I found 13k in a bag at the Miami airport I'd be afraid some drug dealer was about to shank me. He did the best thing for his conscious and peace of mind , earned a modest reward, and now is recognized by those he comes into contact with on a daily basis as an exemplary person. It's win win
As a completely non-religious person, I know a word for the guy: Angel.
The money thing is irrelevant, his compassion for the homeless person is astounding and elevating.
The reward does sound a little stingy, but the article does not say anything about the person who lost the money and iPad or their circumstances. The money may have been all the money he has in the world or may not even have been his money, it could have belonged to an employer. I applaud the honesty of the guy who turned it in and feel that the world needs more people like this. Too many people would have kept the money and never thought twice about it. I am happy to hear that his employer chose to recognize him for his honesty as well. Of course his actions also reflect very well on his employer and I am sure that the small reward they gave him has been minor compared to the good press and free publicity they have received as a result, not that I am saying that this is what motivated them to reward him for his actions. I would like to think that I would have done the same thing and turned in the money if I had been the one to find it.
My first thought---there was no other options for an honest person, and might as well give away the measely 60 bucks. But maybe most people would have decided to make the wrong decision, that would help explain why things are the way they are. God Bless and best wishes to the honest man.
A good honest person this man is. To bad the politicians in Washington DC aren't so honest with other peoples money.
I'd bet the $13K the guy's not a republican. He lacks that Republican Killer Greed Instinct.
Sees Thru The Gloss should know - takes one to know one.
Sees Thru Gloss,
I'll bet you were looking in the mirror when you wrote that.
You make no sense whatsoever...unless of course, you would've kept it which it sure sounds like and also paints a picture of your personality...
What Morgan did was absolutely standup and I commend him on his honesty and integrity. Now the question becomes who would have 13 large in an iPad case, why, and did they expect to get past security with it?
I think (hope!) that See Through's comment was directed towards the iPad owner - - someone just turned in the $13,000 he had lost instead of keeping it, and the only reward he gives is a lousy $60???? Wow.
Hmmmm, maybe I did misread it. Sees Thru may want to make the point a little more "clear" :-)
If you read it quickly, it almost seems like it says, "There is one word to describe this "kind" person" whereas, I overlooked the "of". Oh well, @!$%# happens.
Have a nice day...
Was he set up ??????????? Maybe..
Holy crap, I've never literally laughed out loud at a comment before. Sees Thru, you made my morning.
To those 'sour grapes' who attacked the honesty this employee presented...
Your bitterness will jump back you in due time and bite ya!
It's good to see that there are still honest and upright people in this world!
Kudos to his employer as well as to his being honored for his actions...
A paperboy in our small town found a bag that somehow fallen out of an armoured car near a bank. The banks name was on the sack so he returned it to the bank. The boy got a "thank-you." The newspaper got hold of the story and discovered there was over $150,000 in that bag. There was such an outcry that the bank only said thank you, they were shamed into giving him a reward------- a $25.00 savings bond. I dont think the bank president even gave the boy a ride in his Rolls-Bentley.
In recognition of the presidents ( lack of) humility, I, and about 50 others closed our accounts.
Contrary to what some people think, there are one or two people out there with exemplary moral character
In this day and age it is hard to believe that such a person may exist among us. It is humbling and inspiring.
And "Sees Thru Gloss" - i cannot believe that you actually mean what you wrote. Nobody can be that evil. I think you wrote that in jest and if so that was quite funny ..lol.
Great story, glad his employer rewarded him too!
The guy with a pocket full of cash should have given him at least $200.
I would have gave him $500.
Nice one, sir! A great American!!
Good honest man. There really are some.
Good man - Great guy. Thank you for being you.
Oh No!! Florida again..........
Honesty is it's own reward. So they say. It's hard to say what they reward should have been. I guess it depends on the losing parties circumstance. $13K? Sounds like $250 to $500 would have been right. His employer stepped up correctly. Sounds like the guy came in and pick up the lost items very well dressed and the employer felt sorry for his employee getting screwed. Some people are just ignorant. Once I found a student's wallet while working at the University of Chicago. I turned it over to the campus police. They took my name and the phone number of my office in case the adult age kid wanted to thank me. The wallet only had fifty bucks in it. I turned it in wallet , IDs , credit cards, and cash all of it. The kid didn't even call to thank me. I asked the desk officer I turned it in to what happened. He said they contacted the guy and he came in and picked it up. They gave him my number. I wasn't expecting anything but a call would have been nice. All the guys I worked with said keep the money. I said no walked 3 blocks out of my way and turned it in using most of my lunch hour and he did even say thanks. Some people just do not have manners.
I know i did the same.... But some ppl are like that.. no class!
My older brother once found a satchell with over 30K cash in it and turned it in to the police. This was in upstate NY in 1977. The cops asked him if he was crazy. He said no,he just knew he wouldn't be able to sleep at night,knowing it wasn't really his. He was making more than that per year at the time,but still,that's alot of dough! Point is,the idiot who lost it,and got it back didn't even offer a reward,or a word of thanks! Some people,indeed,just do not have manners.
A 60 freaking dollar reward. What a tightwad, ungrateful man. Give the man at least 250 as a reward.
He could have just as easily kept the money, sold the iPad and you would have had nothing.
What a cheapskate this owner of the cash and iPad is.
I wonder why he was carrying 13k in cash on an airline. Aren't you suppose to report anything over 5k in cash to the airlines or something?
Me personally, if it were my money and iPad, I would have given him at least 500 dollars and taken the man and his family out to dinner to show my gratitude.
"The guy with a pocket full of cash should have given him at least $200."
"I would have gave him $500." - MC Gusto
After calling him a sucker? I doubt that....
Some University research facility should get a sample of this man's DNA!
How great a society could this be if our human genome had a greater prevalence of this person's genotype than that which seems to be fueling the ever more prevalent avarice, greed, selfishness and ever-present incivility in our American society.
Guidelines for a meaningful life: "Commit random acts of kindness" and "pay it forward."
Quick, grab him and clone him!!! <--- tongue only slightly in cheek.
;-)
Robert.... they are busy cloning Obama.
AIG should invite this gentlemen in to provide a seminar on humanity.
MC Gusto wrote:
Just curious, do you ever tire of making a complete fool of yourself in public?
Just when I thought "integrity" was no longer needed. Mr. Morgan's picture should be next to the word in the dictionary. Also, if you get a chance, see what Sandra Bullock has done for a special school in New Orleans. There are some honest and unselfish individuals still walking around, and I wish we had more news stories about them. Congratulations, Mr. Morgan, you are a class act!
Robert the Internet does not constitute "In Public" He can make a fool of himself online however and join the other 20 million+ idiots who always have to get in a political jab even when the story has nothing to do with politics
Nice to hear of someone who did the right thing for a change. I have to agree with others that a $60 reward for returning $13000 and an iPad is too low. Maybe that was all the person could afford - the $13k being a loan taken out to pay for something or some kind of similar situation. If that's the case, then I can understand. But otherwise, $60 is really inappropriate in my opinion.
Give this man a big raise! Honesty is a rare thing nowadays!
Nice guy, not many like him anymore. Too bad the guy who lost the ipad was such a cheap ass.
Airport cleaners are HONEST hard working people too that deserve recognition. After all there the ones that have to clean up other peoples crap.
Was he set up ??????????? Maybe..
The situation of the person that lost the bag is not mentioned and so the reward he chooses to give is not for anyone's judgement. Moreover, Patrick didn't keep it anyway and he said he got what he wanted when he returned iit. While this was about the goodness of a person, it is disgusting to see so many focusing on the money and calculating how much it should be - some people just don't get it
I agree Tes
The truest freedom a man will ever know. Is wanting to do what he ought to do. In the first place.
I attempt to live by that. Its harder than most think. Great to hear a story about a man like that.
OMG just amazing.... He is the perfect guy to be a bank manager, no questions ask....
Agreed Tes. Doing something right without expecting compensation entitles a feeling of satisfaction with oneself. Good to hear stories like this.
I heard that 10% to the finder is reasonable. 90% of something is better than 100% of nothing, mostly.
I like the part where he gave away the $60 to a couple that needed it more than him. Charity at its best.
I heard that 10% to the finder is reasonable. 90% of something is better than 100% of nothing, mostly.
I like the part where he gave away the $60 to a couple that needed it more than him. Charity at its best.
what a cheapskate! that is disgusting! he should be ashamed of himself! good luck to the honest man im glad his employer had enough brains to give him that bonus!
What did he open it for?
Probably to see if there was any identification of the owner inside the case, which makes sense as honest people do the same thing when someone's wallet is found.
Ask a dumb question.
... get a dumb answer.
Because he could?
A true honest Gentleman.
Why did he open it?
He did it so you could ask something stupid.
I would love to find thousands of dollars. Nice trip to Las vegas, then on to florida, buy some new clothes. Could do a lot with Thirteen thousand dollars. If you are foolish enough to lose it I will be foolish enough to spend it on a good time. So hold on to that money folks because if I find it.......
That thinking just shows how your parents raised you.
Loser...
Yeah keep dreamin. Like I stated in 1.5 karma is a bitch sometimes.
Tarzan, I would rent your Jane if I were in Vegas, make sure you hold on to her when you go.....
An Honest deed shines like a beacon in a weary world. Pay It Forward.
Tarzan- watch what you say cause thats still considered stealing EVEN if it is lost and even if you do get away with it theres a thing called KARMA that usually gets you in the end!! YES carrying around all that cash is stupid but so is STEALING by not turning it in to lost and found.
Too bad there are not enough honest people like this gentleman. Too many people out there would take the money and iPad for their own or sell the iPad for more money.
Once when I was a college student, I lost my wallet on a plane. The airline cleaner found it and turned it in to the gate agent, minus the $50 cash I had in it. That was a lot of money for a college student. Sure wish this guy had been their cleaner instead.
Replacing all the stuff in the wallet is a lot more of a pain than the $50. Replacing a driver's license, being without one for a while. No ATM or credit cards until replacements come. I'd be grateful just to have the wallet.
An honorable man indeed. God bless him.
Yes, a great human.....may EVOLUTION bless him.
WOW!! $60 reward from the person that lost $13,000. I would not have even accepted the reward out of protest. Thats a spit in the face. The looser should have given at least $500 to $1000 reward.
At least 2 bills.
I would drop 5.
It also depends on if the 13 large was to buy a car or something. It might have been his life savings or just money for the black jack table or a kilo of Coke.
a heartfelt thank you would have been better than $50.. i have always believed a good deed is its own reward. wonder why he was carrying a large amount of money---more to this story. no one i know travels with that much cash.
Yeah...it might have even been someone else's money.
He made that point by giving most of the $60 to a needy co-worker and a homeless woman...
Well, there's at least a few honest people still out there. I'm glad he was rewarded by his workplace in the end.
The owner rewards him 60 dollars..? What a joke. It's hard to be a good person when people don't reward you for it, but I suppose that, in definition, is the meaning of a good person. Somebody with character. Somebody looking outside the boundaries of reward, or recognition. Good man.... terrific example...
A thank you would be enough of a reward for me.
A good person doesn't expect a reward for their actions in the first place.
Time Told: Exactly!! :) The rest of you who expect a reward are just incredible. Why must one reward the finder for doing what is, in my opinion, what you are supposed to do?!
You tip waitresses for doing what they are supposed to - what's the difference?
...some folks don't have the class to recognize when it's appropriate to tip, reward, or gratify anyone else...that is; besides their own classless self^^^^^
there's your answer Tag
$60 reward? Pitiful.
You should not be a good person for what you can get out of it, you be a good person so there is good news instead of bad news, it is to show that when you do good without anything expected back that you know you are a good example and stand out against those who would steal the table and money. Those same ones who would not be so nice if someone did that to them would want the thief's head on a platter.
People like this gentleman don't eve rthink"reward", he was just doing the right thing. He probably also never thought it would make national news. I'll tell you one thing, this guy restored some of my faith in humanity.
I'm thinking posted on wrong story,troll,or being facetious
This guy is awesome, more people should be so honest. I've found owner's of lost wallet's a couple times. They got their ID and all their money back.
Taking something that isn't yours is stealing. People that think this is right should get a job and earn their own money.
A $60 reward is fine, should a person have to give a percentage of the amount lost? I don't know, but if someone offered $60 to me, I'd just thank them and be glad they got their stuff back.
What a wonderful person. Peace and blessings be upon you, sir!
There was a time when this sort of conduct was expected as a normal aspect of humanity. It's a testament to America's sad state that this story now merits front-page treatment on MSNBS. In an era of Wall Street banksters, greedy CEOs and their Repugnican cohorts in government, it's indeed truly shocking to see someone behaving honestly.
...and it just goes to show you. Be honest and end up a janitor. Lie, cheat, steal, and kill and you too could be a business executive or political leader!
Camera's everywhere now-days, especially in an airport.
He doesn't take his job for granted. One good deed leads to another.
Good call.
that crossed my mind to.
It could have even been a sting operation.
that's a lot of trouble to test a cleaning man, but I digress
The reality of the situation is that if he would have kept it, he was still at work, the guy came right back in when he noticed his iPad and cash missing, and he they would have quickly figured out who had it. He would have lost his job, and could have been arrested. There are no 'finders, keepers' rules in airports.
The guy made the right decision and is better now for it.
Give him a job as luggage handler along with a hefty raise and get rid of those thieving losers! Guys like him are rare for sure! I love the person that lost that much and gave him a measly $60.00! It's true a good deed does not necessarily mean you should expect a reward. But c'mon, that person stood to lose a lot of money.
Just think! I estimate that only one in a hundred people would have turned in the device and the cash like he did.
And only one in a hundred of those people would have then donated the reward money.
That is to say, ONLY ONE IN TEN-THOUSAND PEOPLE WOULD DO WHAT HE DID!
Imagine what our world could be if we all shared the same morals and values as this remarkable man!
With all the terrible behavior that gets financially rewarded (teen moms, Kardashians, "real" housewives) and all that type of nonsense, it is nice to see an honest, good person being recognized and rewarded.
Awesome thing for the cleaner to do. $13,000 is a lot of temptation to overcome.
Although I'm curious why someone was flying with $13,000 in cash. Drug dealer? Money laundering? Hiding money offshore? I guess I'm a cynic.
Kudos to Mr. Morgan. He paid it forward. We all should. Our lives would be happier and we would be setting an excellent example for our children and those around us. Thank you, Mr. Morgan.
Why was somebody carrying $13,000 in the first place? ...and how did they fit it in an ipad case unless it was in huge denominations? I think the guy who lost it needs some investigating, perhaps from the IRS.
If he had a certificate of origin for the money, there is no law broken.
I remember the old days(5 years ago) when people had money. A traveler with 13 grand wasn't worthy of a federal investigation.
I wonder how much Jordan carries when he goes to Vegas.
Was he on an international flight?
While traveling around with $13K in cash is foolish, it's not illegal. The IRS, whoever has no just cause to start an investigation on him.
Kudo's to this honest man. I wonder what I would do in a similar circumstance.