Broke Lottery Winner Gambles on Judge's Soft Heart, Loses
Many people see winning the lottery as their chance to achieve financial freedom for life, never having to worry about bills or expenses again. But there is a recurring pattern among big jackpot winners; many end up in more dire straits than before their luck struck.
Of those whose fortune did not last, Rhoda Toth has to be one of the worst examples. The Tampa woman won $13 million in the Florida lottery in 1990. But she and her husband managed to spend all their prize winnings and more.
By 2001, the couple was filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection. An IRS debt of over $2.5 million still haunted them, untouched by the bankruptcy action.
In 2006, the Toths were charged with income tax evasion. When they were arrested, the two were living in poverty, with the only electricity provided from a cord rigged to a car engine.
While awaiting trial, Alex, Rhoda's husband, died. She tried to plea to the court to avoid jailtime, citing crippling multiple sclerosis and a doctor's prediction of imminent death. However, agents had taped her surreptitiously, and demonstrated how she did not need the crutches she had used in the courtroom.
The judge in the case sentenced her to two years in prison, and ordered her to pay the IRS restitution of $1.1 million.
Perhaps it's time to buy more lottery tickets.
