Posted on 06/12/2005 3:38:51 AM PDT by CaptainK
June 12, 2005 -- Sept. 11 widow Kathy Trant has turned her Long Island home into a $2 million showcase, traveled from the Vatican to Las Vegas, blown $500,000 on shoes, and bought breast jobs for pals and even strangers. In the 31/2 years since her husband, Dan, died in the World Trade Center attacks, she has burned through nearly all the more than $5 million she received in compensation and donations. She says she treated the millions "like Monopoly money."
The mother of three has become a self-described "shopoholic" - and her compulsive buying has left her with intense guilt, shame and sadness.
After the plane hit the north tower on Sept. 11, Dan called Kathy from the 104th floor, where the 40-year-old worked as a bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald. He said the smoke was unbearable. "I love you, and I love the kids," were his last words. His remains were never found.
Following the funeral, Kathy's weight zigzagged from 90 pounds to 170 pounds and down again. She numbed herself with booze and antidepressants.
Then she began spending.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Sudden, Instant Wealth syndrome coupled with grief...what a combination...
OK, do we now have to chip in for counseling for her? Does it ever end?
When will the Jersey girls speak out against this women
"Kathy, who got half the government payout as her share, gave $100,000 to her mother-in-law, who wasn't legally entitled to any money. The other half was split among her three kids - each gets $800,000 when they reach age 18."
She did set some aside for the kids
I understand that she is mentally ill. Seriously disturbed.
But I am horrified that she recognizes this and yet, still fails to check herself into a mental clinic, put her assets into a trust to control her compulsion and for the future benefit of her children and herself. It sounds like she is on the fast track to an early death for herself.
I don't want to know this woman.
It's only money.
How much do the families of our fallen soldiers receive in SGLI (which they pay for themselves)? $100-200k?
I suppose that the shock of seeing 9/11 on TV galvanized a lot of Americans into donating, and it was her money to do with as she pleased. Too bad there's not such an outpouring of donations to the USO or ACS.
She should have put it in trust funds. Her children are mimicking her behavior.
Maybe it would have better if our government created trust funds for the families instead of providing lottery type funds (I can't believe I just said I wanted government involvement). As long as the payouts were a given, the amount of money received would have yielded a decent per month return from which these families could have lived off of.
Good point. That may have been better. The military handles re-enlistment bonuses that way.
I never understood why 9/11 families got millions and soldier families get nothing. I felt from the beginning there were women like this gal who were in it for the money.
$500,000 on shoes? Dear Lord, what I would have done for my precious family with that money. How I could have helped other people in need. Dear GOD!!!! What a stupid, selfish, ugly woman. I would not want to know her, either.
I never understood why these families were entitiled to ANTYHING from the government. Did families of Pearl Harbor get millions of dollars? What about Oklahoma City?
"$500,000 on shoes"I am sorry this is total stupid!!!!
The risk to the Airlines was that a jury would feel sorry for the victims of the actual terrorist - those who actually committed the crimes - and because the actual criminals are not around any more - the deepest pockets around for the lawyers and their clients to attack - are the airlines. In place of the risk of a jury reward, the Congress paid the ransom money for the airlines. It did not matter that some people other than the airlines were responsible - the airlines lost their property also - the jury might operate on emotion.
This woman is enjoying her take of the taxpayer funded ransom, hope she has a good time, because I sure enjoy paying the taxes.
The payout was a terrible precedent that I hope we come to our senses over if there is ever a repeat. I'm sure Osama is figuring he could bankrupt the US with the "right" terrorist plot, given the outrageous sums paid to the families.
Good article for showing how those funds were misspent at least in this one family's case.
58,241 men and eight women have their names on a wall, they received some burial expense and any insurance they PAID for.
In order to protect the affected airlines from the resulting long and drawn-out, bankrupting 3000+ individual lawsuits, the feds stepped up to the plate. As with most large payoff lottery winners who never consider the possibility of actually winning, the consequences are predictable. No plan and an accompanying exaggerated need for stuff.
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