Judge Sentences Detroit Lottery Winner Who Also Collected Welfare to…
- Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:31am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Amanda Clayton (Photo: Facebook)
Remember Amanda Clayton? If the name doesn’t sound familiar, the story likely will. She’s the Detroit-area woman who was caught in March collecting welfare despite winning a $735,000 lottery prize. Well, she recently pleaded no contest to a felony in the case and was sentenced this week. The judge decided on nine months probation.
But before we go any further, it’s worth playing the video of Clayton defending her actions when she was first caught. At the time, she didn’t think there was anything wrong with what she was doing, saying “I feel that it’s okay because I mean, I have no income and I have bills to pay … I have two houses”:
Attorney Todd Flood says Clayton has repaid the approximately $5,500 in food aid and medical benefits she received. The 24-year-old pleaded no contest to fraud last month and was sentenced on Tuesday.
The Michigan Department of Human Services says Clayton didn’t inform the state about her pre-tax lottery windfall of $735,000 last year. Flood says Clayton did make an attempt but decided not to fight the case and move on with her life.
Gov. Rick Snyder signed a law in April that requires lottery officials to tell the Department of Human Services about new winners.
So where does Clayton go from here? Her attorney says that because she’s a felon, it’s going to be hard.
“It’s Michigan in 2012. It’s difficult to find a job. A felony conviction is a very serious matter,” Clayton’s attorney told USA Today.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (92)
Paulhgreenbay
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:26am“I have bills to pay” — Isn’t the cost of living there like Guatemala? Couldn’t she buy a whole block and still have enough to live a modest life there on that money? What a liberal paradise!
Report Post »rosegrower
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:55amSadly, the cost of living in Michigan is relatively high, thanks to the stranglehold the UAW and its brother unions have on the state. Unionized grocery store clerks earn as much as a first year accounting graduate, so food prices are inflated to cover those. Land prices outside the immediate confines of Detroit are grossly inflated because NO ONE wants to live in the city (supply and demand at work), and the UAW and Teamster members who can afford to pay top dollar for real estate do so, which helps maintain the inflation in land prices. Regulations on utilities – all done to “protect” the consumer, mind you – keep the costs of gas and electricity high. However, with a million dollars, an intelligent and rational person could generate enough of an income to live reasonably; add a part-time job that even a felon can get (pole dancer, perhaps?) and she could live very well.
Report Post »Ed_Kel
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:17pm@Rose – Not sure what you’re talking about … Maybe Detroit is different from the rest of Michigan but here on the west side, gas is averaging 3.30/gal and electricity is relatively low. In fact if you did a little research, you’ll find that cost of living in Michigan, other than certain utilities, are relatively low compared to the rest of the country. To break it down by city, Grand Rapids is in fact much lower than Detroit but even the Detroit metro area averages below 100 on the cost of living comparison scale. I won’t comment on what I assume you mean the UFCW because I have yet to find data that backs your claim about they being the cause of higher food prices. Your claim that the UAW has a choke hold on even the land prices in and around Detroit is pretty outrageous to say the least as well. UAW workers may be unfairly compensated, but to argue that places like Bloomfield and malls like Somerset (with the likes of Tiffany and Louis Vuitton) are to cater to Teamsters and the UAW is a blatant misrepresentation of the real issue. I’m Conservative and in part agree with you, but I feel it’s a bit disingenuous to represent Michigan the way you did.
Report Post »zipzap
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:25amIf only I could get a phone number for this lady. I just happen to have a turn-key program that will expunge that felony record permanently and also guarantee her welfare payments are restored for life. . . and can you believe it? It happens to cost $735,000, but I’ll give her a discount of $5,000 so she can pay that nasty restitution bill. Anyone have her phone number???
Report Post »Bluzie
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:56amGuarantee she’ll be broke very, very soon and once again be on the public dole.
Report Post »pizzacorner
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:03amBeing a felon, she can vote for Obama…
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:15amIt’s Detroit……..NUFF said.
Report Post »LameLiberals
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 3:08pmOr Al Franken.
2 years after he won, democrats were arrested for voter fraud in his election because they got caught having prisoneers vote using absentee ballots. Remember Franken LOST the election. When he asked for a recount – boxes of absentee ballots some found in car trunks were found – ALL voting for Franken. The dems NEEDED Franken to vote for Obamacare.
Until the GOP starts acting like the dems – we will ALWAYS lose. Remember – the ends justifies the means.
Report Post »SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 6:39pmThat would qualify her for a City job for Detroit.
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:41am9 months probation—Geezz what an example to set!
Report Post »RED-DAWN
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:38amI think she should days in jail equal to those that she continued to accept the government money, after she won the lottery. No matter the number, day for day she should serve AND she should also have to pay for her own incarceration….
That would be justice!
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:13amAnd repay every penny she has received to date.
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 11:56amI agree RED-DAWN!!
Report Post »Depressed_American
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:38amDid you catch the Lawyers statement “she’s now a convicted felon and it will be difficult for her to fid a job” She‘ll be back on welfare becasue she’s a convicted felon who can’t get a job……
Report Post »majahn
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:03pmNice her attorney is already setting it up so when she goes back on Welfare, she can blame the horrible state for her situation. After all, she has 2 houses a new car and only half a million $$, how can she be expected to pay for that? Poor thing, we should really help this poor useless criminal…..
Report Post »JesterJay
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:26amLOL “I cant afford my TWO houses” and the Koch Brothers are the evil rich people.
Report Post »loveoursoldiers
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:21amNot defending this person.. but just wondering how many of “Holder’s people” have been prosecuted for Welfare fraud
hehehehe
Report Post »Glenn.. just said “go pound sand, Mr. President”
that made my day
teddrunk
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:19amWhat kind of moron wins a million dollars and doesn’t immediately pack their bags and move from that armpit of a city?
Report Post »h20sue
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:25amAmen! Once the taxes are removed, get the heck out of that dump.
Report Post »I‘m surprised social services and credit card people didn’t jump right in and get their $$$$$ immediately.
Gonzo
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:56amWhat kind of moron stays in that city even without a million dollars?
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:20amGonzo, I tip my hat to you, excellent point
Report Post »h20sue
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:15amNo different then the Joker who sits in court with orange/reddish hair, and purchased his artillary with taxpayer (government grants) money. This goes all the way back to Obama. Obama is to blame for this mess. If they want to give grants for school. Put the money in the college they want to attend and have it in an escrow account to each student. Obama’s giving grants to kids (Just like the Joker) who aren’t trustworthy, but you’ll never hear it on ABC, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, or CBS. It’s totally disgusting. When is Brian Ross and George Stephanopoulos going to apologize to the other “James Holmes”? They have ruined his life, and yet…they don’t have the stones to do this. Just another reason to stop watching major news stations, as they are too far to the LEFT.
Report Post »objectivetruth
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 11:52amIn most states they do require the money to be spent on school.You need to attend and maintain a passing grade.If you fail at either you won’t recieve anything from that semester.Plus if you are failing you will have to prove satisfactory performance before you will be allowed to reattend.You are given a set nember of credits or hours to prove the satisfactory performance.Whether you genuinely fail or you attempted to withdraw and it was botched [giving you a failing grade for lack of attendence rather than academic failure[.You normally only recieve the excess of your award.Which makes me wonder how colorado schools are set up and how he managed to recieve that much unaccounted for money.Something is very rotten in the state of denmark.
Report Post »NO_MORE_OBAMA
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:06amThe is the system the DEMOCRATS set in place. Hell dont punish her, its not her fault.
Same thing applies to the people having 4,5,6,7 and 10 kids. They keep getting their OBAMA money.
How about this? SHUT your legs and get a job.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:12amSince gappin’ their thighs IS their job, there’s really no difference between a ******, and a single mother on welfare. Except the ****** is more honorable in actually employing capitalism. The unwed mother wants everyone to pay for her.
Report Post »bikerdogred1
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:03amWelfare people have rights,she should be able to play the lotto with her welfare winnings don’t you think.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:22amYou’r joking right? She has a right to welfare? What authority gives her that right? You do realize congress has created many many unconstitutional programs and just because they exist doesn’t mean they pass constitutional muster.We‘ve allowed government to amass powers and start numerous entitlement programs that simply aren’t authorized in the constitution.
Report Post »JQuentinEvermann
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:50amWelfare should be a cup of rice and beans per day, a gallon of clean water, and a cot in a tent. And I think I’m being generous. All of their possessions should be auctioned off to pay for what they receive. If you’re unwilling to do what it takes to keep yourself alive, including selling off your possessions, then this is the extent of what I, as a tax payer, am willing to provide. Anything else is luxury and I‘m not working to pay for other peoples’ pleasures.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:03pmPROGRESSIVESLAYER, Well yeah! Just like citizens living in Mexico have a right to an EBT card. Don’t you just love our emperor, who thinks Congress must exist only to occupy space in DC.
Report Post »SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 6:43pmYup gambling pays off for idiots welfare to riches to bankruptcy back to welfare.
Report Post »FedupinFlorida2
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:01amBoo Who for her.
Report Post »chefron
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:56amShe’s just another “Julia” peice of trash living off the system. Rest assured, when she’s blown her lottery winnings, she’ll be allowed to re-apply for welfare. And by the way “Blaze”, your staff writer never filled in the blanks and told us what sentece this scammer received.
Report Post »woodyee
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:05amUh-oh…
“The judge decided on nine months probation.”
Report Post »proliance
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:05am“The judge decided on nine months probation.”
Report Post »tweetybird
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:07amShe received 9 months probation. This is located in the 1st paragraph….last sentence.
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:07amNine months probation and full restitution….CAN’T YOU READ
Report Post »Susie
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:52am“It’s Michigan in 2012. It’s difficult to find a job. A felony conviction is a very serious matter,”
Well Dah ! Perhaps she should have thought about that before she decided to go down that road.
Report Post »When she has blown through the rest of her windfall, will she be able to get back on the Obama money train ?
hatchetjob
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 12:00pmHopefully the economy will collapse before she can even think about Oblamo’s money gravy train.
Report Post »woodyee
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:51amThis biyotch gets 9 months probation – and thieving Congressmen get what?
Report Post »drbage
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:15amRe-elected.
Report Post »The one interesting (in my opinion) part of this story that was overlooked when it first broke and continues in the redux is that she is collecting welfare, food stamps (stimulating the economy according to Pelousy and Hooyahyer), and Medicaid, yet she has “two houses.” Really, you are on welfare and qualified for not one, but two mortgages!?
teddrunk
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:43amNot much difference between her and the women standing in line for their “Obama cash”. I‘ll guarantee she’s a Democrat.
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:42amRemember the movie Cinderella Man? There’s a part in the movie where Jim Braddock (Russel Crowe) goes to the “Relief Office” and returns the money the department had given him while he was on hard times. I don‘t know if that actually happened but it’s a great idea.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:02amI don’t know if it happened either but it is indeed a great idea,shows he had dignity and was honest,two qualities lacking in modern day America.
Report Post »FlowerBell
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:07pmWhoopie Goldberg is rich and famous. She once lived on welfare.
Report Post »I can’t imagine she ever bothered to offer the money back.
Welfare should be a LOAN until you get on your feet.
T-2
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:42amDoes this mean she gets to re-apply for wellfare after 9 months?
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:53amT-2, Probably! $735,000. Huh? My guess, she’s broke in nine months and will need to!!!!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:40amThere is zero shame in living off the taxpayer, in fact it is a comfortable way of life for many……..what does chinas welfare system look like ? ,,,,,,,it’s work or starve.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 9:10amThe so called ‘poor’ in America would live like kings in most other countries,they simply have no concept of what poor is and you’re right they have no shame in collecting money for nothing.Welfare should end because it’s immoral and an unconstitutional social program.
Report Post »gunslingerpatriot
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:40amInvest your wealth wisely young lady, its the only thing you‘re going to get in this life and I don’t feel the least bit sorry for her at all.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:39amShe’s a thief and got off far to easy for her crime.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:39amNine months probation ooooooooooooooooooh that’ll teach her.How about forfeit her lottery winnings?
Report Post »majahn
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 1:11pmditto
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:38amGee…Could I get that deal??? Sign me up! Steal money from the Taxpayer and get a slap on the wrist. SICK!
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:36amComrades this is what one should expect in the Socialist Workers Paradise these days. At least she paid back the money, although she will probably qualify once again shortly!
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 8:44amPerhaps it would be a good idea that if one is convicted of welfare fraud, one is no longer eligible to collect it again….worth considering
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