The victims of a sexual predator who became a lottery millionaire are now suing to win his wealth.
Timothy Dale Poole won $3 million on a Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket he purchased at a Mount Dora 7-Eleven store on Dec. 6. In 1999, Orange County authorities arrested Poole following allegations that he sexually battered a 9-year-old boy. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2002. Full Article
For a “legal analyst,” Mr. Dubois is not just clearly biased, but also very ignorant. He tried justifying these victims coming forward years later to try to get money since this registrant won the lottery. Then he goes on to claim that the registrant can go anywhere in the world he wants with the money. As we all know, international travel is no longer a right afforded to registrants, so for someone who is supposed to be a legal expert, he clearly knows nothing about what is really happening in this country.
At least most of the comments after the article are correct, this isn’t about justice, it’s a money grab and nothing more. I’m not minimizing the damage inflicted on the victims, just pointing out the obvious truth.
THE BOTTOM LINE: If you are a registrant and have a WINNING LOTTERY TICKET worth any substantial amount of money (over a million dollars), it’s best to do the following:
1. DON’T let anyone you know you won, except for close TRUSTED friends and family. Continue this vow of silence through the liquidation process. Do NOT post on social media! Do NOT blab to acquaintences! Do NOT PUBLICIZE! Shuts yer trap, sweetiepie.
2. Sign the ticket immediately (if you haven’t done so). This name may be removed by notary or attorney presence for use in later proxy declaration/transfer, but it is IMPERATIVE that you don’t lose that ticket if it’s unsigned.
3. Take as many pictures and/or photocopies of the ticket as possible. Keep a copy on you at all times, and put the original in a safe location, preferably in a fireproof, locked safe or commercial safe deposit box, until you are ready to start the claim process.
4. Once everything is ready, select a good lawyer. You need a good civil litigation / estate lawyer, one that specializes in handling large amount of money.* Make sure you bring the original copy of the ticket with you, and ensure that the attorney you visit has a notary. Once the attorney establishes the validity of the winning ticket, he will then take your case as your winning ticket is valid enough. Usually, the attorney will charge a flat fee… usually pretty high, but worth it). Make sure that you create a notarized copy (or copies) of the ticket in his office for his use, and that YOU retain the original copy. Once you are finished with the visit with the attorney, return the ticket to its safe location IMMEDIATELY. Don’t stop for groceries or to pick up your drycleaning. Go STRAIGHT to safe location.
(NOTE: In some cases you may have the attorney make arrangements to secure the ticket, for instance with a bonded holding company. That is a better choice in my opinion if you don’t trust your own location.)
5. Discuss with your attorney your various options in how to cash the ticket. Your main goal is to do it as quickly and as privately as possible. Many lotteries require you to claim your winnings with a huge publicity photo (like our unfortunate Mr. Poole in Florida). In certain conditions, however, you can cash your ticket anonymously if you can delay cashing the ticket, though there are special issues with that not worth discussing here. The bottom line is for you to have a long, comprehensive conversation with the lawyer to determing the best action for you to cash and retain use of your money with little risk.
6. Consider moving to another state, preferably another region of the country to minimize more blowback. A bonus would be to move to a less-stressful state, as money is no object with regard to new registration duties. Alternatively, California is big enough to move; with your money, registration becomes a bit easier.
Extra tip: Beyond protecting your money from the masses or the lawyers, a good rule of thumb for the acquisition of sudden wealth is to designate a certain percentage of the winnings–say, 10%–to “mad money.” In other words, this is money you can “blow” on things. Mentally, this will allow you to “be stupid” with the money without worrying about losing your entire fortune. Once this “mad money” part blows over (whether you have spent the entire 10% or not), then you can better adjust to the wealth.
*Last tip. I would suggest contacting Janice Bellucci first. She could probably guide you to a specialized attorney that could set everything up for you, and of course a generous donation (or grant) to CA RSOL would be in order at that time, wouldn’tcha say, you lucky devil?
This man has already paid his debt to society and these people should have no right to his money what-so-ever!
This is an insult to sex offenders everywhere! We have as much right to foolishly “play” (throw away) our hard earned money (those of us who can even find employment that is)!
More power to him for betting the odds and winning…after all, if they will not give us jobs and are trying to starve us to death we need access to any sort potential income possible!
What does it say for the “moral majority” of “respectable society” when we seem to so enjoy watching sex offenders, particularly those who victimize children, get slapped down at every turn? What does it say when so much joy is derived from watching them being subjected to draconian laws that even those who have taken human lives don’t have to live by? What does it say for a society where every sort of hateful, spiteful comment is made by wishing nothing but misfortune on this particular class of law-breakers? Karma has a way of biting those with that attitude in the butt too. You better not wish evil on anyone. It may come back to haunt you one day.