Woman Who Won A Million And Stayed On Assistance Has Died

[Dave]

In a strange and unfortunate story, the woman that had won a million dollars in the state lottery but continued to receive state assistance has died, possibly of a drug overdose. It would be safe to say that once she was exposed for doing what she was doing that her life was probably a bit rough which is unfortunate but is the risk she ran or anyone runs when doing what she did. I suppose in a way its a bit of that old karma thing rearing its ugly head.

Amanda Clayton, the Lincoln Park woman who caused a stir after continuing to take food stamps after winning the state lottery’s $1-million “Make Me Rich!” game show, has died of a possible drug overdose, police said Saturday.

Clayton was found dead by police at about 9 a.m. at a home on Sunnyside Road, said Ecorse Police Sgt. Cornelius Herring.

No further details were released by police, including what she was doing at the home.

Clayton was propelled into the spotlight after a local news outlet learned she had won the game show in September 2011, but continued to take welfare benefits. At the time, she said she was entitled to the payments because she still needed help.

She was charged by Attorney General Bill Schuette for felony welfare fraud, and was sentenced to nine months of probation in late July. She was also ordered to repay the roughly $5,500 in food and medical assistance she received after winning the windfall.

State law requires that anyone with income changes on assistance programs report those changes within 10 days. Clayton was on food assistance from 2010 to 2012, and despite having a job for four months in 2011, she did not report the change to the state, even though it is unclear if that would have affected her eligibility for benefits. Days before her arrest, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a law requiring lottery officials to report winnings to DHS.

http://www.freep.com/article/20120929/NEWS02/120929026/

[XLFD]

The County Commissioners have been almost strictly Republican on their ballots over these last few years, but the only conservative seems to be Mary Nichols.  The others are more of the moderate, country club type that think being conservative means you separate your garbage into recyclables.  Most know how to act and talk conservative when election time comes. 

Of course, are cities are even worse as the usual municipal candidates don't even tell you anything substantive about what they will actually do if elected. 

 

[Willy]

I see nothing wrong with the lotto. If people, rich or poor, want to throw their money away then be my guest. I just don't want welfare recipients spending the money we provide them on lotto tickets. As for myself, I quit buying lotto tickets a long time ago because my chances of being  hit in the head with a piece of moon rock while shopping at Meijer is better than me buying a winning lotto ticket. As far as Scottville goes, it's just like Ludington or any other town, the people get what they vote for and what they accept as approved behavior of their local politicians.

[CLFD]

Willy

People do not always get what they vote for. My sister most definitely did not vote for higher taxes.

[XLFD]

If you created a lotto and scratch-off games, and adopted a strict accounting process whereas you would only pay yourself and others for the time they put into it, at a modestly set rate per year and paid for overhead costs, then donated any 'profit' to a worthy charity or cause, do you think the State would allow you to do that?

 

No, because the State restricts anyone other than themselves (with limited restrictions, like on Indian lands) from profiting from gambling, here's just a sample of the penal code concerning gambling.  If the State says I can't be doing something profitable because it's illegal, they shouldn't turn around and do that same thing.  They should make it legal for everyone, or get out of the biz and keep it illegal for all, including themselves.  I would suggest the former to be the sanest course.