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Monday, June 06, 2011

Man Cited After Paying Bill With 2,500 Pennies

VERNAL, Utah (AP) - A Utah man has been cited on a charge of disorderly conduct after paying for a disputed medical bill with 2,500 pennies.

The Deseret News of Salt Lake City reports Jason West went to Basin Clinic in Vernal on May 27 prepared to dispute an outstanding $25 bill.

Assistant Vernal Police Chief Keith Campbell says that after asking staff members whether they accepted cash, West dumped 2,500 pennies on the counter and demanded that staff count them.

Campbell says the incident upset staff because pennies were strewn about the counter and floor, and West's action served "no legitimate purpose."

Police later issued the 38-year-old West a citation for disorderly conduct. That carries a fine of as much as $140. Or 14,000 pennies.

Source

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

What hypocracy....they wanted their money so he gave it to them. Doesn't the law enforcement community have anything better to do there?

Anonymous said...

That's just wrong. Cash is cash.
Now, if he threw the coins all over the place and wouldn't pick them up, that's different.
Of course the staff got upset, they had to work doing something!
I hope this guy fights the citation. I certainly would!

Anonymous said...

I did this once at Salisbury University to pay for a parking ticket. As I remember, they wanted them rolled. I had them rolled and then returned. Technically, you're not doing yourself any favors either. . .but its somewhat satisfying. :o)

Anonymous said...

Legally, you are required to accept US currency, No matter the denomination. If fact, you can be charged for not accepting it. Any lawyer who passed the Bar could defend this guy in their sleep.

Mark Cuban(owner of the Dallas Mavericks) famously paid a large fine from the Commissioner in pennies, had it delivered to the NBA offices in a brinks truck.

Anonymous said...

He was making a statement about the healthcare system

Anonymous said...

Hahahahah! That guy is cool. A great smarta** way of getting the hospital back for what I'm sure is a bill for something insignificant. But I forget....the big bad doctor's need to make that Benz car payment. :)

Joseph Albero said...

Get off my site McGuire.

Anonymous said...

which one is McGuire?

Anonymous said...

That one.

Anonymous said...

I took 10 dollars in pennies to a deli in Sbury and they didnt accept it,,So I got my sub free! No complaints here!

Anonymous said...

This guy should take action against the hospital and the police force. The police must have really slow days if they arrest people for this. "NO legitimate purpose", he was paying his bill for crying out loud!! If that's not a legitimate purpose, then don't bill anyone.