US

Utah Family Finds $45,000 in New Home…Then Gives it Back

BOUNTIFUL (AP) — When Josh Ferrin closed on his family’s first home, he never thought he’d make the discovery of a lifetime — then give it back.

Ferrin picked up the keys earlier this week and decided to check out the house in Bountiful.

As he walked into the garage, a piece of cloth clinging to an attic door caught his eye. Inside, he found eight boxes full of cash — about $45,000.

Ferrin says he thought about everything he could do with the money, but knew he had to give it back. And that’s exactly what he did.

He called the previous owner’s son and returned the money. That man says he knew his father had stored cash in the home but never imagined it was that much.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Comments (127)

1 2 3
  • flsnipe
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 9:32am

    If I new my old man was hiding money in the house I would have torn it apart before turning it over sound like it was out in the open to? Hope the kid didn’t scam the new owner. Any way good for him for doing the right thing. I hope I would.

    Report Post » flsnipe  
  • Tyr
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 9:16am

    Phone rings…..
    Previous owner’s son: Hello?!
    Mr. Ferrin: Sir, do you know anything about some money we found at your fathers former residence.
    Previous owner’s son: No……ah, Money? How much money are we talking about?
    Mr. Ferrin: Oh, I think it must be at least $40,000 dollars, maybe more.
    Previous owner’s son: Oh yeah, yeah, that must be my Dads. He was always just stashing money around the house you know?
    Mr. Ferrin: Oh, good. Well, I want you to have it. It is the right thing to do!
    Previous owner’s son: Yeah, uh, yeah, great…it is my Dads money though definately, yeah he always did that kinda stuff. Alright well thanks again!

    Then the Previous owner’s son hangs up, does a fist pump and starts laughing yelling
    “W H A T A S U C K E R !! How can anyone be that ******* stupid. hahahahaha,
    must be a Morman, hahahahahah!”

    Report Post » Tyr  
    • LetUsReason
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:33pm

      (1) You evidently didn’t watch the news clip, or you would have understood the history of the house and the history of the man (their father). There was no ambiguity as to money’s origins. (2) Why you have to be so hate-filled in the midst of an uplifting story is beyond me. You need to see a shrink.

      Report Post »  
    • Twinspeedr
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 10:51am

      Your attitude shows exactly why the world is upside down right now. And it’s spelled “Mormon”, pinhead.

      What do you think? Was it public education or your parents that failed you most egregiously?

      Report Post » Twinspeedr  
  • Buydebook59
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 9:08am

    Moonpeace is right. I would have turned it over to the Police. Let them handle it. I definitely would have been suspicious of money in bags.

    Report Post »  
  • cntrlfrk
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:57am

    If the government can find a 30 year old adult baby, they will find this guy.

    Too bad it made the news. Obama has probably already sent someone to retrieve the cash.

    Report Post » cntrlfrk  
    • tersky
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 9:32am

      Yeah, that was my first thought too, then I thought of another reason it shouldn’t be on the news: It shouldn’t be news. Doing the right thing should be the ho-hum expected thing, not a news story at all.

      Report Post »  
  • moonpeace
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:48am

    Are you kidding me? This story says nothing about the father having been arrested for dealing drugs.

    Report Post » moonpeace  
  • TxGold
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:45am

    My son & his wife found around $3000 in their house and returned it. It was in an old purse, top of a closet. It’s the right thing to do!

    Report Post » TxGold  
  • psst
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:44am

    The owner’s son is lucky Dingy Harry was not the purchaser.

    Report Post »  
  • for HIS glory
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:17am

    there is hope

    Report Post » for HIS glory  
  • HRJR
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:07am

    That is what integrity and honesty looks like.

    Report Post »  
  • Its_coming
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:01am

    I‘m sure the Gov’t will punish him somehow — Thanks KewlBigDan

    Report Post »  
  • stefooch
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:01am

    I for one am not surprised…I know the majority of us are decent people! I don’t buy into MSM and this administration. I go by the people I meet every day and the comments from all of you on this site. God Bless!

    Report Post » stefooch  
  • TheVOR
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:47am

    Well Glenn, I hope you will give this as much airtime as the gas station story with the $1.00 a gallon gas. See, good people, doing good deeds, do still exist. Don’t follow the lame stream, main stream media’s mantra of; “If it weren’t for bad news, there would be no news at all”.

    Report Post »  
  • 123gone
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:39am

    Another great American who knows right from wrong; an honorable man that walks the walk. God Bless you and your family.

    Report Post »  
  • KewlBigDan
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:37am

    I am sorry but both can be TAXED for that amount of money. The buyer because the house is an asset, and all property and assets on the property are transfered to the buyer when the papers are signed. He can probably be fined for not disclosing the actual value of the house, House+land+assets(hidden money), and then even if he gave it away, it was still his possession per tax codes. And of course because it was part of the Fathers Estate, the Death Tax will be imposed on it as well. The son might see $10,000 of it if he is lucky. This is one story that should NEVER have seen the light of news.

    Report Post » KewlBigDan  
    • John1863
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:06am

      No they both cannot be taxed, the homeowner did not earn the money and you cannot tax it since it was not earned income. Being in his possession does not apply either if it did every bank teller, grocery clerk, or bartender would be taxed everytime they made a transaction.

      Report Post »  
    • SingerGuy
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:27am

      I don’t agree the new homeowner will be taxed, but I‘ll bet we’re less than two weeks away from hearing that the son of the former homeowner is “notified of his obligations” by the IRS. I love hearing this story, but it really should have been kept anonymous so the family can actually spend the money.

      Report Post » SingerGuy  
    • zman173rd
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 9:30am

      the new home owner will be taxed a “gift tax” for giving it to someone, anyone. It’s his, in his possession whether he earned it or not. Think the opposite; if he didn’t give it to the son, who by the way didn’t earn it, he would pay state and local taxes on purchases with that money. Could you go to the store, buy something and tell the cashier, “no i won’t pay tax on my purchase because this money, 1 isn’t mine and 2, i din’t earn it.” convoluted explanation yes, but so is our tax system.

      Report Post » zman173rd  
    • Fedup
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 10:42am

      Actually if this money is part of an estate then unless the total for the sale of the house plus the cash exceeds the limit (($600,000. in my state) the money is NOT taxable. No estate money should ever be taxed because it has been taxed by the government in some form already. But that does not stop the Democrats from continuing to try and seize wealth (assets) that they have no legal right to.

      Report Post »  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:02pm

      Wouldn’t the “gift tax” (if it even applied here, which it doesn’t) —-wouldn’t that tax be put on the receiver not the giver?? To tax the giver would make ZERO sense. It’s the receiver that has to pay the tax. Otherwise, nobody would have any giveaways. No game shows, no raffle drawings, etc.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:06pm

      I guess I was wrong about that, but that makes absolutely no sense to me. How can a donor be issued a tax when giving something away? That’s bass-ackwards

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • Touche Turtle
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:04pm

      Here is the long-range ramification: since the father is deceased and the inheritance tax has been paid WITHOUT consideration of this money, there will need to be an amended return filed and if the IRS is in a generous mood, they may not assess tax and penalty . . . . we’ll see!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Kalish
      Posted on May 22, 2011 at 3:01pm

      The son should not be taxed unless the money puts him over the limit, you get hit with capital gains taxes if you do not sell the property within a certain amount of time, and it appreciates, but this could get sticky since the new owner was in possession of it after the sale of the house, I’m sure the thieves will find a way to tax somebody !

      Report Post » Kalish  
  • iszatright
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:34am

    Now that was refreshing!

    Report Post »  
  • Rocky_biskit
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:33am

    I am ashamed to admit that … umm never mind … lead me not into temptation!!!

    Report Post »  
  • nilo
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:27am

    They did the right thing.

    Report Post » nilo  
  • DRB
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:23am

    Makes me proud to be from Utah!

    Report Post » DRB  
  • Stu D. Baker-Hawk
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:09am

    I can only hope I would do the same if presented with a similar situation. This man must heed the word of God to do such a thing.

    Report Post »  
    • kickagrandma
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:17am

      @Stu D. ~~~Well, we certainly no which book he doesn’t read!

      Report Post »  
    • TheVOR
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:49am

      Well not to kick a grandma…but, we certainly know what you meant. ;-)

      Report Post »  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 9:50am

      What book would that be?

      Report Post » riseandshine  
    • OhMyGosh
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 1:45pm

      Grandma

      And we certainly know what book he does read! He reads the Bible! He is a good man most likely a Mormon which means he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I dare to say that he is most definitely a Christian! The Church he belongs to is named after The Lord himself. What else could he possibly be but a Christian? He is most likely doing his best to live a good life each and every day doing his best to make choices that are Right and for the Good. So not only does he read the Bible he studies the bible and the Teachings of Christ, his ministry, and the teachings that are in the bible. He does not take religion with a grain of salt, rather Religion is his way of Life!

      Report Post »  
    • Durango Kid
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 5:53pm

      OhMyGosh
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 1:45pm
      Grandma

      And we certainly know what book he does read! He reads the Bible! He is a good man most likely a Mormon which means he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I dare to say that he is most definitely a Christian! The Church he belongs to is named after The Lord himself. What else could he possibly be but a Christian?
      Grandma:
      Sorry if he is a Christian than he is NOT a mormon. You can put any name you want to on a church but that doesn’t make those inside Christians. Read the real Bible not the phony books produced by the cults.

      Report Post » Durango Kid  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:08am

    Good for him, nice to see there are still honest people out there

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • Bot
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:04am

    Does anyone think this could have happened in any of our large cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago (especially Chicago!)?

    Report Post » Bot  
  • Susie
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:04am

    Stories like this help renew my faith in the goodness of mankind, and God knows, there’s little to commend it on these days. Josh is an exceptional human being.

    Report Post »  
  • GBMBulletsSKNRD
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:55am

    Just when you thought the world was out of good people. A smile shows up.

    Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:54am

    Mr. Ferrin,

    GOD will bless you mightily for your act of righteousness. Keep your eyes, heart and mind open to see HIS love and approval. May not happen for years, or in ways so small, you would ordinarily miss HIS approval if you aren’t looking. It will come.

    Report Post »  
    • gramma b
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:41pm

      His reward will come when he sees his children follow in his honest footsteps.

      Report Post »  
    • ArmyGirl
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 9:09pm

      @ Durango Kid.
      Mormons ARE Christians!! Hence the title The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

      Report Post » ArmyGirl  
  • raydg
    Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:51am

    Honesty is the best policy

    Report Post »  
    • Hugh Akston II
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:55am

      It is now Obama’s stash.

      Report Post » Hugh Akston II  
    • GayDem4Beck
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:59am

      The son didn’t earn that money, the government should tax it. AT LEAST that’s the way the progressives think about it. Good deeds do not go unnoticed – I’m glad to see people doing the right thing.

      Report Post » GayDem4Beck  
    • GBMBulletsSKNRD
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:00am

      just when you thought there were no good people left in this world. A great big smile shows up.

      Report Post »  
    • GODSAMERICA
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:08am

      @GayDem4Beck
      I wouldn’t be surprised if obama tried to force Ferrin (the buyer) to pay the taxes on it as well since he did have it in his hands before he returned it.

      Report Post » GODSAMERICA  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:09am

      That just made my morning!

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • starman70
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:11am

      You are right, honesty IS the best policy. But now that this has been aired, Obama and the IRS will be frothing at the mouth to find some way to tax this money. Does this put the original owner into the rich category ($250,000 or more) if so, the federal IRS goons will come knocking. Remember, we must pay for Obamacare!

      Report Post »  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:28am

      Now there is a family with good decent morals and integrity. We could all learn something from this.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • PatriotsLikeMe
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:49am

      Be heartened good people–these are the very citizens who will rest this country away from the treacherous left. God is great and He is in us! Happy Friday!!

      Report Post » PatriotsLikeMe  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:55am

      Another light in the darkness! Well done & God Bless you

      Report Post »  
    • SlimnRanger
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:02am

      God Bless this man for his honesty

      Report Post »  
    • CultureWarriors
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:10am

      I believe the majority of people are good. What we see in the 24 hr news cycle is the exception, not the rule. Good for everyone involved.

      Report Post » CultureWarriors  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:40am

      Incredibly nice to hear some honor and integrity of he nation is still intact.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Florida_Freedom_Fighter
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:43am

      great story………..now buy sum gold before it’s worth less, or worthless

      Report Post » Florida_Freedom_Fighter  
    • RightWrite
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 9:05am

      Welcome to the “death tax” kids! The feds can’t wait to get their hands on a huge share of the money.

      Report Post » RightWrite  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 9:07am

      a PROGRESSIVE would never think of giving it back. That would be cutting taxes.
      They would say they HAVE to keep it. To give it back would be “unfair” to the poor.
      If you give it back you would be throwing grannie off a cliff.
      Once they get their mitts on it you can be sure it would go nowhere…
      unless they needed to use it to get re-elected.
      Let’s see – this new house needs a new $50 lightbulb – if I hire my buddy to install it for 44,950 in labor, he will donate 15,000 to my re-election campaign, and hire my brother-in-law to wash his mailbox for $10,000. Of course, I’ll earmark it for him, and I’ll specify some green bulb that is made in China – who gives a rat’s butt about American Jobs.

      THAT’S how a PROGRESSIVE would react.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • BConstitutional
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 10:25am

      I’m sure the IRS will be interested in getting the tax money for that

      Report Post »  
    • gramma b
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:42pm

      The Ferrin children watched as their father pulled all the stuff out of the attic (which is really just a crawl space), sorted out the money and memorabilia, and returned it all to the seller. As one poster on another website put it, the Ferrins just made a $45,000 investment in their children’s character.

      Report Post »  
    • right-wing-waco
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:01pm

      Liberal way… Obama should not only tax the owners son for the unexpected windfall profit, (at 75%), but since the new owner had the money in his possession, he too should be taxed at 75%. God forbid that Obama should let this money go without getting his “fair share”

      Report Post »  
    • jackrorabbit
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:11pm

      While giving the money back seems to be the best answer, the route taken should have been to have the police get involved to make sure that it wasn’t stolen, counterfeit, or drug money.

      Report Post »  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:56pm

      Cool story.. would be hard to part with something like that, especially after buying the house.
      How did it end up on the news though? Just curious.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • @ Coyote2
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:02pm

      He must be a Mormon instead of a jew. Mormons are Christians and will do that. Jews are not and according to their Talmud they must keep what they find if it belongs to a Christian.

      In Choschen Hamm. (266, 1) it says:
      “A Jew may keep anything he finds which belongs to the Akum, for it is written: Return to thy brethren what is lost (Deuter. XXII, 3). For he who returns lost property [to Christians] sins against the Law by increasing the power of the transgressors of the Law.

      Report Post »  
    • NES
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:49pm

      The worth of a soul is… a whole lot more than 45 grand.

      Report Post »  
    • AZMAN
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:10pm

      It’s what you do when no one is looking !

      Report Post » AZMAN  
    • gramma b
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:30pm

      @jjcoolay. I suspect the people to whom he returned the money called the media.

      Report Post »  
    • Durango Kid
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:44pm

      @ Coyote2
      Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:02pm
      He must be a Mormon instead of a jew. Mormons are Christians and will do that. Jews are not and according to their Talmud they must keep what they find if it belongs to a Christian.

      Hey Coyote2,
      He may have been a Christian but if he was he probably wasn’t a mormon. Christian Mormon is an oxymoron.

      Report Post » Durango Kid  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 7:52pm

      Good call Mr.Josh Ferrin, My hat is off to you, Sir !!!
      Makes me feel good to know there are good people
      in the World….Honesty seems to be a dying traite..
      Thank You !!

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:27pm

      There should have been a home inspectipn.

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on May 21, 2011 at 9:34pm

      @ Coyote2
      GO bark at the moon like the dog you appear to be!!

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on May 23, 2011 at 9:40am

      .
      “Utah Family Finds $45,000 in New Home…Then Gives it Back”

      ….and everyone in the Obama administration claimed it was theirs.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
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