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Work Ethic

Americans are known for their work ethic. Some Americans even stay on their job after winning the lottery. Sometimes that is not a good thing. Take Carlos Sola of Georgia for example. In April of 2002, he won $1,000 per week for life in the Georgia lottery. He took some time off from his job but soon returned. That was a mistake. His occupation was burglar. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reports:

Carlos Sola decided to keep his job after he won a Georgia Lottery jackpot — $1,000 a week for life.

His occupation? Burglar.

In April 2002, Sola was awaiting trial for stealing $40,000 in coins and jewelry from an Austell home when he hit it big in the Win For Life scratch-off game.
Cobb County Superior Court Judge S. Lark Ingram took note of his good fortune and allowed a plea deal that included three years in prison, provided the first $40,000 of his winnings went to repay his victims.

So when Sola's first annual payment came last May — $34,840 after taxes — he was behind bars and didn't get a dime.

He got out on probation in August but returned to his old line of work. He was arrested in December for the burglary of a Smyrna home.

Back in prison until at least 2005, Sola is due his second annual lottery check this month: $34,840, less $5,160 for restitution from his earlier conviction. He can keep the rest.

That is taking one's work ethic a bit too far.

Posted by Dwight Meredith at May 8, 2004 03:55 PM | TrackBack