Katrina Evacuee wins $1.6 million

[Fungo Squiggly]

OPELOUSAS, La. - After more than a month of living with dozens of displaced relatives in Opelousas, Jacquelyn Sherman, an evacuee from New Orleans, told her niece she was depressed.
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That all changed when she won $1.6 million — before taxes — playing a slot machine at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino.
"When it happened, I didn't know what was going on," Sherman said. "I had just put in my $20 in the "Wheel of Fortune" machine when it hit. My feeling about this win is better than being blessed. Thank you, Lord."
Sherman had evacuated to her sister's home in Opelousas as Hurricane Katrina threatened New Orleans. After a month with no end in sight and no prospects, she and her niece began to pray Tuesday.
"I told my aunt that God works in mysterious ways and that I had prayed that something good would happen for the whole family to be happy," Jamie Sherman said.
Later that night, Jacquelyn Sherman and her sister decided to entertain themselves with a trip to Evangeline Downs. Before she knew it, Sherman went from having practically nothing to being a millionaire.
"I have to get an attorney and make some decisions about my future," she said Wednesday at a news conference at the racetrack. "It hasn't all sunk in right now. I'm tired. We were up very late last night and back here very early. I plan to go home right now and rest, take a nap. I have so many thoughts going through my mind about what to do and how to do it."
Jacquelyn Sherman's win is the single largest jackpot won since the casino's opening.

Congratulations to her, but what the hell is she doing throwing away money at a casino?

 

[Pheasant]

Congratulations to her, but what the hell is she doing throwing away money at a casino?

I give her a year before she's filing bankruptcy.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Before she knew it, Sherman went from having practically nothing to being a millionaire.

She'll be a millionaire until April 15, 2006.

I give her a year before she's filing bankruptcy.

"I have to get an attorney and make some decisions about my future," she said Wednesday

At least she realizes she won't be capable of handling the money on her own. That's a good first step in avoiding bankruptcy.

 

[vrbryant]

"I told my aunt that God works in mysterious ways and that I had prayed that something good would happen for the whole family to be happy," Jamie Sherman said.

Good thing god has an eye on the slot machines.

 

[BB73]

One can only hope that when the FEMA checks are cashed, most folks invest their money as wisely as this woman. We wouldn't want all of the evacuees to use their money for foolish things like buying new homes.

 

[Brutus1]

One can only hope that when the FEMA checks are cashed, most folks invest their money as wisely as this woman. We wouldn't want all of the evacuees to use their money for foolish things like buying new homes.

Nuthin' but beer and lottery tickets.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Nuthin' but beer and lottery tickets.

What about the smokes? Beer an' scratchers ain't shit without a pack of smokes to with 'em.

 

[SanAntonioBuck]

Don't forgot the "crack"! Their getting busted for that in San Antonio.

 

[johnny]

So glad to know where our tax dollars are going.

 

[tedginn05]

glad to see that government money going towards the highest priority in that evacuee's life

 

[NightmaresDad]

Heard on the radio about an evacuee for whom one organization raised 250,000 and another raised 10,000. Plus the insurance co settled with him in full for the cost to replace his house.
Plus, his wife, who makes over 60K herself, lied to FEMA that they had kids and got extra money for the non-existent kids from FEMA, no questions asked.
he has been gambling with all the money and plans on using the money he got from the insurance co to sue the insurance co about his claim (which they've already settled)

My 6th grader got very upset last week when he read a newpaper story about somebody stealing the donation jar for hurricane victims from a McDonald's. I told him, yes that is a very low thing to do, but there are many people fraudulently stealing big money from the gov't and all who have contributed to the cause.