You know, I probably don't want to live in a world where one's past can disqualifty one from any future random good fortune.
But still. Good Christ.
Registered sex offender wins $14 million lottery jackpot in Jensen Beach
Is there no justice?
FDLE records show Cowal is a registered sex offender and has a record of arrests for alleged offenses beginning in 1993, ranging from burglary, lewd and lascivious or indecent assault upon a child, trespass, aggravated assault, driving under the influence, probation violation and high-speed fleeing from law enforcement. He was sentenced to 23 months in prison between 1993 and 2000.
I can't even find the words. It's not like this is some good-ol-boy drinkin' and raisin' hell kind of record. We're talking about one of Florida's legion of child sex predators.
Now, according to the article, the guy opted for the $8 million lump sum, seeing as that's what you get out of $14 million after the tax bite (just lie back and think of England, oh taxpayer, or try to pretend it's all going to beer for soldiers). Anyway...$8 million.
Now, surely, the State of Florida ought to be able to snatch a goodly amount of that. Certainly, with that record, I'd like to think this jackass has been incarcerated. I'd like to think the State has some sort of program in place to recoup the funds spend on locking his ass up. And I would THINK there'd be some sort of fines levied for at least some of his crimes. Have those been paid?
I guess I don't have a problem with criminals (who've served their time) having good luck. But someone out there ought to be keeping track, and ensuring that this asshole pays back every dime the people of Florida have spent on his worthless carcass, and that he's made proper financial restitution for his wrongs.
Then, if there's something left, Mr. Cowal can perhaps go somewhere far away and enjoy it.
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