Can we discuss this MM situation?

[dreamgirl]

I am intrigued by this whole lottery ticket fiasco in Arkansas

today.msnbc.msn.com/id/47321157/ns/today-today_news/t/she-may-have-return-k-trashed-lottery-ticket/

Basically, a lady bought the ticket, scanned it, scanner said it wasn't a winner, so she pitched it.

Another lady went through the trash and grabbed all the tossed tickets and that was one of them. She claimed the prize.

Now lady #1 is saying it was hers and wants the money. Judge ruled it was her winnings and is entitled to the money. Lady #2 has already spent about $200k of the money and can't repay it.

Lady #1 says it's all hers as she deserves the money (she was interviewed on today) and thinks lady #2 needs to repay all the money.

Lady #2 says it isn't fair

So, what do you think? Finders keepers? Or does Lady #1 deserve it

[Chuppathingy]

Lady 1 threw the ticket away right? Then I'm with Lady 2 on this.

[y4m]

IMO it's lady #2's money. But lady #1 has a case against whoever made/runs that scanning system that told her it wasn't a winner.

[StJess80]

Well, until I heard that it wasn't the woman #1's fault, I was all for #2. Finders keepers. But now that I hear this extra twist, I'm conflicted. However, lady #1 seemed sort of callous when lady #2 said she couldn't repay it. I think lady #1 should just take what is left and leave it at that.

ETA: Or even split the money with #2. I also think her beef is with the lottery, not #2. #2 should definitely NOT have to pay that back.

[njohnson1972]

I am with Lady #2.

Lady #1 was kind of nasty about this morning on the Today Show. She threw the ticket away. It wasn't like Lady #2 stole it.

[annael415]

I haven't been following this closely, but I agree with Lady 2. She possessed the ticket and cashed it in, can't fault her for that. If the machine really told Lady 1 that the ticket wasn't a winner, then I think that's a problem with the lottery, not Lady 2.

[kadams767]

I am having a hard time feeling bad for someone who needs a scanner to decide if she won on a scratch-off lottery ticket. I mean, seriously, is it that hard to follow the instructions?

[dreamgirl]

I agree with this. I thought Lady #1 was a bitch in the interview. Saying she deserved it.

[njohnson1972]

May 11, 2012 10:24:51 GMT -5 y4m said:

IMO it's lady #2's money. But lady #1 has a case against whoever made/runs that scanning system that told her it wasn't a winner.

If that is the case, then Lady #1 should go after the Lotto system/the store. Not Lady #2.

[Deleted]

Well I feel bad for lady #1 but she should not rely on the scanner. As far as lady #2, if there is really a sign saying you can't take tickets out of the trash then yes she needs to give the $ back.

[phunluvin82]

May 11, 2012 10:25:27 GMT -5 StJess80 said:

Well, until I heard that it wasn't the woman #1's fault, I was all for #2. Finders keepers. But now that I hear this extra twist, I'm conflicted. However, lady #1 seemed sort of callous when lady #2 said she couldn't repay it. I think lady #1 should just take what is left and leave it at that.

+1

[megs0]

I'm with Lady #2 that the ticket was abandoned property. I think Lady #1 would be entitled to some kind of settlement from the lottery since its scanner was defective.

[lishie]

I'm with Lady 2. I don't even see how lady 1 can prove it was her ticket that she threw out.

I also saw and article stating that the owner of the mini-mart sued Lady 2 because owner said the ticket was in her trash can and it was therefore her ticket.

This whole case is crazy.

[Deleted]

My first thought was Y4Ms

[pierogigirl]

May 11, 2012 10:24:51 GMT -5 y4m said:

IMO it's lady #2's money. But lady #1 has a case against whoever made/runs that scanning system that told her it wasn't a winner.

I've only followed this story a little. Can she prove that she scanned the ticket and was told it was not a winner? I'm with lady #2.

[mego]

May 11, 2012 10:28:19 GMT -5 kadams767 said:

I am having a hard time feeling bad for someone who needs a scanner to decide if she won on a scratch-off lottery ticket. I mean, seriously, is it that hard to follow the instructions?

I agree! I sure as heck would not toss it in the trash even if the machine told me it wasn't a winner! I think that lady number 2 should get to keep the money and lady number one can take it up with the machine company or lottery.

[mollybrown]

I'm with the majority. #2 should keep the money since she didn't do anything wrong, and #1 should take it up with whoever is responsible for the machine. I believe she was told the ticket wasn't a winner, since it wouldn't have made sense for her to throw it away if the machine was working properly. That still isn't lady #2's problem. #1 was a total bitch on the Today show. I suspect all of this money will be pissed away in court...

[keweenawlove]

May 11, 2012 11:41:18 GMT -5 mollybrown said:

#1 was a total bitch on the Today show. I suspect all of this money will be pissed away in court...

Totally agree with this! And she did throw it away. I really hope #2 wins.

[thatgirl2478]

Lady #2 should get to keep it. As the old rhyme goes 'finders keepers, losers weepers'. Once you toss something you abandon all claims to it. It's not her fault that lady #1 is a moron who can't look to see that her ticket is a winner (it's not rocket science).

[dreamsofdesign]

I agree that Lady #2 should not have to repay the money she already spent. I'm not sure how the rest of the scenario should play out, but it's crazy that Lady #1 was so rude about the whole ordeal.

[clea]

May 11, 2012 10:30:29 GMT -5 megs0 said:

I'm with Lady #2 that the ticket was abandoned property. I think Lady #1 would be entitled to some kind of settlement from the lottery since its scanner was defective.

Right. I'm with #2 also. How can she prove she threwaway that exact ticket.

[partiallysunny]

The judgement is so wrong on this one. Finder's keepers.

[madladybride]

I'm with lady #2. Scanners can be wrong, lady#1 should have double-checked the numbers herself. Is it really that hard? If lady #1 has a problem with the scanner she should sue the lottery people.

[niki]

#3 The store owner. The trash was still in the store. Of course, if the managers had said it was OK to take the trash on previous occasios, then #2, but #1 should still sue the lotto or scan company.

[Deleted]

How in the world can Lady#1 prove it was hers. I'm actually pretty sure it was mine. I want it and I'll be nice and let Lady#2 keep the part that she spent.