Man Hunts Down Rightful Owner of $200,000

http://articles.news.aol.com/news ^ | 3 17 06 | aolnews

[freepatriot32]

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. (March 15) - Carlos G. Rojas didn't know what to think when the military life insurance checks started showing up at his office. He didn't know anyone who would have named him a beneficiary, and the checks totaled $200,000.

He called Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, which pays death benefits to military families, and the customer service representatives insisted the money was his and he should cash the checks, he said.

Rojas couldn't do it.

"It's not like picking up a penny you just found," said Rojas, a 29-year-old marketing consultant. "Somebody's life was connected with that money."

Meanwhile, Carlos M. Rojas, 62, wondered why he had never received life insurance payments for his son, Army Pfc. Kenny Rojas, killed by a land mine in October in Iraq.

Servicemembers' Group assured him the checks were in the mail.

On Tuesday, after weeks of searching, the younger Rojas tracked down the grieving father.

"I believe this belongs to you," he said, handing him the checks.

The two men had never met but once worked in the same Miramar office building - Carlos G. Rojas for Wells Fargo Financial and Carlos M. Rojas for Comcast cable television. Carlos M. Rojas had quit his job at Comcast, though.

The checks, addressed to only "Carlos Rojas," were sent to the building because the elder Rojas had recently moved.

It took nine weeks, but Carlos G. Rojas was able to find a telephone number for the grieving father.

"I feel pretty good that somebody is honest enough to not spend the money," said Carlos M. Rojas. "This is like the last gift from my son. It's still very sad that he is not here. I cry every night."

Servicemembers' Group has spoken with the elder Rojas and will be sending him a letter of apology, spokeswoman Laurita Warner said Wednesday.

"We are investigating this situation to find out what happened and will take steps to make sure this doesn't happen again," she said.

[WoofDog123]

you are right in that if he had cashed the checks he would have had serious problems later, BUT the fact he went out of his way to return them is a character issue, not a legal issue. He could have just let them sit in a drawer, or marked them RTS, etc.

You do see the difference?

[Fighting Irish]

wow

[goldstategop]

I thinks of the old adage: true character is shown when no one is watching you. And some people's character shines when they do the right thing especially when it is their own disadvantage. This is the kind of person God wants near His holy mountain and to serve in the precincts of His Temple.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Lakeshark]

Been busy with the homecoming party bash for Phil, and recovering from it......it was truly awesome....someday I'll send pics. Let's talk sometime over the weekend, yes?

[Lakeshark]

Well put.

[Borax Queen]

Totally - but may need to raincheck until the following weekend :) (Internet issues upcoming from my undisclosed location.)

[dljordan]

"I was defrauded in a business transaction so I wondered if there are still honest people."

Honest people sometimes just can't understand others being dishonest. Unfortunately there are lots of scumbags out there. I lost quite a sum myself because of someone I thought was a friend. I learned an important lesson from that.

[Ramius]

"Because there's some good in this world worth fighting for..."

:-)

[B.O. Plenty]

Carlos G., may, in a small way fill the void in Carlos M life from the loss of his hero son Army Pfc. Kenny Rojas. I must admit that this story made tears come to my eyes.

It reminds us once again, that God indeed moves in mysterious ways.

God Bless Kenny..and the two Carlos.

[RMDupree]

Thank you for the ping.

And your comment is perfect. :-D

[FormerACLUmember]

The "Rojas" genetic code seems to include such personality traits as honesty, courage, and human decency.

[goldstategop]

So did I. I learned an expensive lesson about being defrauded by someone I thought would do what he said and instead took money he wasn't entitled to and absconded with it. I'll be more careful who I deal with in the future. As a crime victim, I feel like I lost something and its not the money. I can't understand either how some people can take pleasure in harming others without a second thought. So reading this has shown me that doing good is its own reward and as long as God lives, I will do right all my life because that's how I was raised up as a man. I did right by the other person and a great wrong was done to me. I trust my God to recompense me in the fullest measure of time.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[goldstategop]

He was raised by wonderful parents. I hope his employer and co-workers see what a rare person they have among them. We rarely see people living up to their God-given potential and this is what makes it so special. And I like I said, I hope his good deed follows him all life. God will see to it that his mitzvah will be repaid.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Flash Bazbeaux]

I agree that this is a great thing that the younger Mr. Rojas has done. As for the Servicemen's Insurance Group apology letter, I envision something like this:

Dear [ ] Mother [X] Father [ ]Wife [ ] Child

of DECEASED SERVICEMAN.

It is with the utmost sincerity and regret that we present our most personal heartfelt apologies for:

[ ] Improperly refusing your claim

[ ] Sending you a bill instead of a check

[ ] Leaving you on hold for three hours

[x] Other

Very truly yours,

Insurance Bureacrat No. XZ 3Q 27513.

[Mo1]

Thanks for the ping ...

There are good americans out there

[IronJack]

Wow. Just wow.

It would be nice if Mr Rojas could receive an avalanche of email saluting him for his integrity. The man is a modern-day hero, and one of the best.

THESE are the kinds of people our society needs to hold up in admiration. Not a bunch of two-dimensional pretty faces like George Clooney or Madonna.

From one human being to another: thank you, Mr. Rojas.

[geezerwheezer]

If this story doesn't make you proud that we do have folks of honor, duty, and integrity amongst us all, then it is probably safe to assume that you are a dimocrap!

[Flash Bazbeaux]

BTW, the caption regarding the younger Mr. Rojas "who mistakenly received" the checks intended for the elder Mr. Rojas is inaccurate. The younger Mr. Rojas did not "mistakenly" do anything. He corrected the mistake of others.

[HairOfTheDog]

"Because there's some good in this world worth fighting for..."

Indeed :~D

[TankerKC]

The "Rojas" genetic code seems to include such personality traits as honesty, courage, and human decency.

No, no, no! You’ve got it all wrong. You’re supposed to note the Hispanic surname, question whether they belong in the country, and then rant on about illegals.

Get it straight! </sarcasm>