http://news.aol.com/story/_a/woman-must-forfeit-1-million-jackpot/20070810185209990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001 (http://news.aol.com/story/_a/woman-must-forfeit-1-million-jackpot/20070810185209990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001)

Woman Must Forfeit $1 Million Jackpot

MEDFORD, Ore. (Aug. 10) - A judge ruled that a woman who used a stolen credit card to buy a winning scratch-it ticket has no right to the $1 million prize.

Jackson County Judge Ray White ruled Thursday that the winnings were the proceeds of illegal activity and must be forfeited under Oregon law.

Prosecutors say Christina Goodenow of White City used a credit card that belonged to her then-boyfriend's dead mother to buy the lucky lottery ticket at a market in Central Point in October 2005.

Goodenow asked lottery officials to keep her win quiet, claiming to be a victim of domestic violence. But police learned of the crime about two weeks later as Goodenow continued to use the stolen credit card.

The Oregon Lottery had already paid Goodenow $33,500, the first of 20 annual payouts. She spent the majority of the money, including a big chunk that went to pay off nearly $12,000 owed on the credit card.

Goodenow, who pleaded no contest to forgery, cheating and aggravated theft, maintains she bought the winning ticket with cash from her own pocket. Goodenow said she plans to appeal.

Besides stripping Goodenow of her winnings, the judge sentenced Goodenow to a month in jail. But White gave her credit for the six months she served earlier this year for possessing methamphetamine.

Goodenow must spend two years on probation.

:lol: What an idiot! She should be forced to pay restitution to her ex boyfriend's family.

I'm surprised she could buy lottery tickets with a credit card. In Massachusetts, it's cash only.

I'm surprised she could buy lottery tickets with a credit card. In Massachusetts, it's cash only.

I agree, It's cash or debit card only here in North Carolina.

I'm surprised she could buy lottery tickets with a credit card. In Massachusetts, it's cash only.


Oh ok, I wasn't aware of that. Either way, she should be forced to pay back what she spent.

I'm surprised she could buy lottery tickets with a credit card. In Massachusetts, it's cash only.
As far as I know, you can't pay by credit card here either.

Wow, this opens up so many ethical questions, not to mention...who OWNS the winning ticket?.....seems to me her ex-BF and his family now should be declared the winners (As heirs to the dead woman ), but, im sure the state wants the ticket declared null and void! ( might be an interesting follow-up story in a few years )

No matter what, using her BFs dead mothers credit card is pretty darn low

This just shows that honesty is still the best policy. If she had used her own cash, she would have won the million dollars!

Wow, this opens up so many ethical questions, not to mention...who OWNS the winning ticket?.....seems to me her ex-BF and his family now should be declared the winners (As heirs to the dead woman ), but, im sure the state wants the ticket declared null and void! ( might be an interesting follow-up story in a few years )

No matter what, using her BFs dead mothers credit card is pretty darn low
It appears the state is taking it.

Jackson County Judge Ray White ruled Thursday that the winnings were the proceeds of illegal activity and must be forfeited under Oregon law.

Good Grief! But at least she did spend some of the money on paying off the stolen credit card bill. So maybe there's still hope for her.

It appears the state is taking it.

Jackson County Judge Ray White ruled Thursday that the winnings were the proceeds of illegal activity and must be forfeited under Oregon law.

i kind of figured that would be the case

No comment.

No comment.


I simply must know what your comment is. ;)

I agree, It's cash or debit card only here in North Carolina.

I didn't know that here in N.C. we could purchase lottery tickets wit a debit card. I always thought that you could only use cash.

http://www.oregonlottery.org/general/information.shtml#laws

I don't see anything here that states how one can purchase a lotto ticket. I am sure one of our members from Oregon can tell us......BRAD!!!!!!!!!!!!:wave:

By the way, it states the lady was caught AFTER she continued to use the credit card (maybe it was a debit card) for two weeks AFTER SHE WON. So, aside from the fact that she was so low as to use a stolen card, SHE CONTINUED TO USE A STOLEN CARD AFTER WINNING A MILLION DOLLARS!!!


MY PICK FOR THE BONEHEAD OF THE WEEK!!!!!!!:crazy: She deserved to get caught. I am glad for stupid criminals. It makes the job of our law enforcement officials that much easier. :D

By the way, it states the lady was caught AFTER she continued to use the credit card (maybe it was a debit card) for two weeks AFTER SHE WON. So, aside from the fact that she was so low as to use a stolen card, SHE CONTINUED TO USE A STOLEN CARD AFTER WINNING A MILLION DOLLARS!!!
Hey youre right! :eek: I guess she was just enjoying the feeling of spending money that wasnt hers so MUCH, that she just kept going! :crazy:

I didn't know that here in N.C. we could purchase lottery tickets wit a debit card. I always thought that you could only use cash.

I think each retailer can set their own rules. I know some places will accept them and others will take cash only. The no credit card rule is from the Lottery Headquarters

I think each retailer can set their own rules. I know some places will accept them and others will take cash only. The no credit card rule is from the Lottery Headquarters
I thought it was supposed to be cash only so that the lotto headquarters are ensured of getting their $$$$$. Can you imagine paying with a stolen credit card for $100 worth of tickets? The lotto won't get their $100 because the money is not valid (or actually it was not a valid sale).

I thought it was supposed to be cash only so that the lotto headquarters are ensured of getting their $$$$$. Can you imagine paying with a stolen credit card for $100 worth of tickets? The lotto won't get their $100 because the money is not valid (or actually it was not a valid sale).

Each State probably has their own rules. All I know is that in NC you can use a debit card unless that rule has been changed in the last 2 months which is how long it's been since I played. Up until that time, I used my debit card to purchase tickets and the only place I was required to use cash was one of the grocery stores.

I can see a debit card being the exception. The story states a credit card though. I wonder if it was an error and in reality it was a debit card rather than a credit card.

I think it was a credit card because there was a balance on it, whereas there's no credit involved with a debit card. I look at debit cards as more or less electronic checks. If there's no money in your account, it's no good.

My husband told me that Mass doesn't accept debit cards for lottery purchases. I knew they didn't allow credit cards. Every year, I buy season tickets for three big lottery games here, for $100 a piece. The Lottery sends me renewal forms. They take checks by mail, and I can understand that.

What a bummer, LOL.