Posted on 10/02/2008 2:20:00 PM PDT by MplsSteve
For the first time since she erroneously received a $2.6 million check from the state and went on a spending spree that included cars and jewelry, Sabrina Walker told her story Thursday, tearfully saying she never imagined herself in court for a criminal sentencing.
"Indeed this was a mistake. I didn't create this," she said. "I didn't swindle the state. I didn't trick anyone. I have suffered greatly from the moment this has been done. My dreams have been shattered."
Walker, 38, of Minneapolis, asked for mercy and compassion. District Court Judge Marilyn Rosenbaum said she'd already been given some mercy and sentenced Walker to nine months in the work house, three months longer than a presentence investigation report prepared by the county suggested. She agreed to allow Walker to be released for classes and work.
Rosenbaum noted that after calling the Department of Health and Human Services about the check and establishing it wasn't for her, Walker went out and spent $267,000 within a few hours.
Late in March 2007, a check intended for the Hennepin County Medical Center was addressed and sent to Walker when a state employee typed a single digit wrong.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Who does she think she is, Fannie Mae?
Do a little bit of delaying and you could end up with a nice chunk of changes. Just do not spend it.
A few years back in Chicago, I believe, welfare checks got sent out with two months payments on one check. When the government tried to correct the situation by asking people either to return the money or to skip next month’s payment, the recipients screamed bloody murder that it was “unfair” that they should have to pay for the government’s mistake.
So, I have no doubt this woman believes she is not a “swindler.” Heck, Clinton wasn’t a adulterer either. Its the liberal/adolescent mindset. Its all about me and the rest of you can go take a flying leap. It may cost you an arm and a leg, but hey, the situation wasn’t their fault (nothing ever is) so why should they feel guilty? This is what Liberalism has wrought.
Similar story a few years ago. Guy got a large check in error. When he tried to correct it he was rudely told there was no mistake. He deposited the money, had his bank draw a certified check for the funds which he locked in a safe deposit box. When they caught the error he refused give up the check until he got a written apology for wasting his time.
A deposit indicates that you have received it. You are at that point guilty of theft. The bank will immediately report it as possible drug or terrorist funds. You are in prison big time.
I disagree. If you deposit it, notify the appropriate authorities and do not spend it, a prosecutor might have a real problem getting a theft conviction. Theft requires that intent to steal be shown. Merely depositing the money does not show intent to steal.
I called the bank; they first insisted that a deposit had indeed been made into my account. Then, they discovered that someone on their end had made a clerical error.
The manager thanked me profusely for spotting the error...I was thinking "what did you think I was going to do, spend it?"
“Prosecutors say some $2.1 million has been recouped as well as various cars and funds. “A lot of time, a lot of money and a lot of energy and effort” have gone into reclaiming the funds, Hawkinson said.”
At the end of the article.
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