Clerk fooled by $200 bill with Bush's picture

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Wednesday, September 01, 2004 | The Associated Press

[Willie Green]

State police aren't laughing about the person who passed some funny money -- a $200 bill with President George W. Bush's picture on it -- at a women's clothing store.

Police yesterday charged Deborah Trautwine, 51, of Jeannette, with theft by deception for allegedly passing a bogus $200 bill at the Fashion Bug store in Hempfield Plaza on Aug. 22.

[Jaysun]

With a labor pool like this (straight out of public school) it's a wonder that there aren't MORE companies going overseas.

[EggsAckley]

I have one of those. I can't believe any clerk wouldn't spot it as a phony.

[Horatio Gates]

There is no such denomination, even without Bush's picture on it.

I'm glad the reporter cleared that up. :)

[WinMod70]

Any mention of what the dumber than a box of rocks clerk was charged with for accepting it? Ah..that's right stupidity is not a crime.

[bobo1]

Two stupids transacting. They are both 'rats. They know no better.

Blessings, Bobo

[Allegra]

Pssssst....Petro...

Check this out. :-)

[wmichgrad]

Novelty item.

[OneTimeLurker]

The person who passed that off as real committed a felony.

[Spackidagoosh]

[boojumsnark]

As kids, we used to get play money at the Ben Franklin. It was pink and had a picture of a duck or something on it. At the bottom it said, "NOT NEGOTIABLE"

I wonder if anyone who would accept a pink duck-dollar would know what not negotiable meant.

[RS]

"...for allegedly passing a bogus $200 bill...."

as compared to using a non-bogus $200 bill ?

Isn't that like saying you made a copy from NO original ?

[Constitution Day]

This also happened in NC a while back.

[ConservativeDude]

"Clerk fooled by $200 bill with Bush's picture"

And to think there are some people who want to get rid of the electoral college....geez

[CSM]

News from your neck of the woods! It's hard to believe that PA is a battleground state if the resident clerks believe that GWB has done such a good job that he is already on our currency!

On a side note, if I buy a shirt at Hempfield Plaza, will the authorities confiscate the receipt until they can verify that it is an actual place?

[Jaysun]

And to think there are some people who want to get rid of the electoral college....geez

In all seriousness, that would be the worst decision ever made. It would transform us into a Democracy which is fatally flawed. If the people are DIRECTLY involved, they'll vote for whoever will give them the most tax dollars. That, in turn, will eventually cause our economy to collapse.

Not that some people don't already vote that way, it's just that it would increase if the electoral college were abolished.

[Constitution Day]

Bush Bill

SEPTEMBER 12--North Carolina cops are searching for a guy who successfully passed a $200 bill bearing George W. Bush's portrait and a drawing of the White House complete with lawn signs reading "We like ice cream" and "USA deserves a tax cut." The phony Bush bill--a copy of which you'll find below--was presented to a cashier at a Food Lion in Roanoke Rapids on September 6 by an unidentified male who was seeking to pay for $150 in groceries. Remarkably, the cashier accepted the counterfeit note and gave the man $50 change. In a separate incident involving a different perp, Roanoke Rapids cops Tuesday arrested Michael Harris, 24, for attempting last month to pass an identical $200 Bush bill at a convenience store. (3 pages)

[Homo_homini_lupus]

With a labor pool like this (straight out of public school)...

Sad, but true. For fun, try this: the next time you go up to a cashier, ask them if they know what the largest-denomination bill currently minted is. Most won't have a clue.

[Fresh Wind]

Remarkably, the cashier accepted the counterfeit note and gave the man $50 change.

Reportedly, the change consisted of 16 Clinton $3 bills and two Susan B. Anthony dollar coins (Carter Quarters).

[WoofDog123]

The legal/technical issue here is that it isn't counterfeit if the bill does not attempt to copy a bill in circulation...No real $200 = no counterfeit charge. The theft by deception may be a legal stretch.