[marden]

File this story under, "CAN'T WIN FOR LOSING."

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Police: Woman Used Stolen Card in Lottery
October 28, 2005 7:13 AM EDT
MEDFORD, Ore. - A woman bought a winning lottery ticket worth $1 million with a stolen credit card and could wind up with nothing if convicted, police said.

Christina Goodenow, 38, of White City in southern Oregon faced numerous theft-related charges, forgery and possession of methamphetamine, said authorities, who searched her home Thursday. The card belonged to a deceased relative, they said.

If convicted of any of the charges, Goodenow will not be able to collect prize money from the winning ticket, said police Lt. Tim George.

Oregon Lottery officials refused to discuss specifics of the case because an investigation is still under way.

"I'll be fascinated to see how this shakes out," Lottery spokesman Chuck Baumann said. "In my 12 years with the Oregon Lottery, this is the first time I've encountered something like this."

Goodenow purchased the winning ticket Oct. 9 using a credit card that had belonged to her mother-in-law, who died more than a year ago, police said.

Goodenow traveled to Oregon Lottery headquarters in Salem on Oct 12 to accept an installment payment of $33,500. The $1 million grand prize is paid out over 20 years.

Detectives began tracking Goodenow on Wednesday after learning that she had used the credit card to purchase several items, including the ticket.

A search warrant served at her home Thursday turned up some methamphetamine, but little money, George said.

"Our investigation is still trying to determine what happened to the $33,500," George said.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationwo...tion-headlines

[typoon]

DOH!

[The Godfather]

Only in Oregon (TM).

[marden]

I'm wondering if the credit card company would be willing to make a deal not to press charges if she gives up a certain amount of the winnings to pay the back debt. There would be court and lawyers fees. Of course, taxes. Then the court might order her to undergo substance abuse treatment, which she would pay for. And maybe some other obscure penalty or another requiring some kind of fee.

But then she'd be looking at being completely broke or at least unable to see ANY money from the winnings for many years AT LEAST!

So, she goes to one of the 'factoring' companies that takes the right to collect the remainder of the yearly payouts and settles for 70% of the total amount (maybe 50% because she's desperate) and gets 500,000 all at once but after paying everything else off she MIGHT gain her freedom but still be broke.

And even if this worst case scenario doesn't happen within 18 months she'll be broke anyway, judging by statistics.

[olePigeon]

MEDFORD, Ore. - A woman bought a winning lottery ticket worth $1 million with a stolen credit card and could wind up with nothing if convicted, police said.

In California you can only buy lottery tickets wtih cash. I'm still waiting for someone not over 70 to win the lottery.

[marden]

Originally Posted by olePigeon

In California you can only buy lottery tickets wtih cash. I'm still waiting for someone not over 70 to win the lottery.

Most of em aren't that old. Are you that inaccurate in everything you post? Or were you just exaggerating to make a point?

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by marden

Most of em aren't that old. Are you that inaccurate in everything you post? Or were you just exaggerating to make a point?

I was being sarcastic.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by olePigeon

In California you can only buy lottery tickets wtih cash. I'm still waiting for someone not over 70 to win the lottery.

In BC you can even buy from the Internet.