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Friday, March 09, 2012

Michigan cuts off food aid for $1-million lottery winner

Beware of too much good luck, warns a classic Greek myth – a lesson that a Michigan woman who won a $1-million state lottery jackpot has learned the hard way.

Michigan’s Department of Human Services has cut off $200 a month in food aid to Amanda Clayton in the wake of media reports that she had won $1 million in the state lottery in September. To make matters worse for Clayton, who lives in Lincoln Park near Detroit, her case has been turned over to state anti-fraud officials.

"DHS relies on clients being forthcoming about their actual financial status,” Department of Human Services Director Maura D. Corrigan said in a prepared statement. “If they are not, and continue to accept benefits, they may face criminal investigation and be required to pay back those benefits.”

Clayton, who has two children, won the lottery in September but never told state officials that her wealth status had changed. The 24-year-old woman used the jackpot money to buy a new home and car, but continued to get $200 a month from the state to feed her family, relatives have told local television and newspaper reporters.
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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

She should pay back every dime she received from the state since she won the lottery. Then follow that up with a criminal investigation and throw her in jail.

Anonymous said...

why the heck is she buying lottery tickets on the tax payers dime in the first place. Another example why the welfare program is in total shambles. No enough follow up on the scammers.

Anonymous said...

duh...

Anonymous said...

well said 8:52...

Anonymous said...

She probably was eating crabs and steak on us as well....but seriously, all too often, the people with their hands out do not need the handouts, but they feel entitled to it.

Anonymous said...

I wholeheartedly agree with all of the former comments!
This is just not right and THIS is what's wrong with America.
There are those on the right who feel programs for the needy need to go away, THIS is why!
There's no oversight and way too much fraud!
Not only do some buy lottery tickets with their welfare, they buy alcohol and drugs as well.
The first step is to put in place the mandatory drug testing, federally, not at state level.
That'll take a lot of people off the welfare rolls real quick!
Then, put in place the oversight!
No more, automatic renewals. Make them PROOVE they are in need.
If you go to buy a house, or get a loan of any kind, you have to PROVE you're worthy.
Well, welfare shouldn't be any different.
I'm not against helping those who TRULY need it, but I'm tired of my tax dollars going to people like this woman!
In fact, I want MY tax dollars back!

Anonymous said...

This is all our fault-we the kind hearted people. We don't want to see the children hungry so we donate food to pantries, money to shelters, etc.
It's gotten to the point where it's not benevolence anymore but enabling.
We've taught a generation that's it's okay to not strive for better. It's okay to have children without a means of supporting them.

We shop at stores like Walmart because it's inexpensive, mean while an estimated 70 percent of their employees are on some type of government assistance.

We have no one to blame but ourselves.

Anonymous said...

The mind set of these people continue to amaze me. After taxes she got over 700 thousand. In the video she still thinks it's ok to keep using her card since they gave it to her and her defense was she now has 2 houses.
You see this type of thinking from a lot of the younger generation. Just because it's free to them they think no one has to pay for it. They may not be paying for it now but they WILL be paying for it later and they will be the ones complaining the older generation spent to much.

Anonymous said...

It is amazing the mindset of all these non compassionate, evil, selfish, greedy, Republicans; this poor woman doesn't have a job - how is she supposed to live? That $700k is her money to do with as she wants. Just cause she won it by wasting taxpayer money for unintended purchases (lottery tickets) doesn't mean she should be forced back into poverty by taking away her entitlement. For goodness sakes have a heart & leave her alone.