Wayne Sabaj, in his garden in McHenry, September 8 2011, where he found over $100,000. ((Dave Shields/for the Tribune) / July 3, 2013)
Posted on 07/04/2013 8:09:25 AM PDT by KeyLargo
chicagotribune.com
Curse? Gardener didn't live to enjoy cash he found
By Lisa Black
Tribune reporter
6:50 AM CDT, July 4, 2013 Advertisement Click here to find out more!
The death of a McHenry County man, just days before he was to collect some of the $150,000 he found in his garden, is causing some to wonder if his elderly neighbor was right all along.
She said the money was cursed.
Wayne Sabaj, 51, was an unemployed carpenter when he reported finding the bags of cash while picking broccoli in August 2011. He was due to enter into a settlement in court on July 11 that would have split the windfall between him and the neighbor, said his lawyer, Robert Burke.
The neighbor, Delores Johnson, whose daughter had also made a claim for the money on her behalf, also died before the mystery was settled. Johnson, who had dementia and died in December at 87, told her daughter that "she had gotten rid of the money because it was cursed," said Burke, quoting court records.
"Apparently, she was right. The money is cursed," Burke said.
Sabaj died of complications related to diabetes at his home Monday night, according to the McHenry County coroner. Sabaj's son found him, Burke said.
Sabaj's father, learning of his son's death, suffered cardiac arrest that same night and remained hospitalized Wednesday, Burke said.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Wayne Sabaj, in his garden in McHenry, September 8 2011, where he found over $100,000. ((Dave Shields/for the Tribune) / July 3, 2013)
If I understand it, a woman with dementia took her life savings and buried it in her neighbor’s garden.
If that’s the case I think he should have given it back.
IMO, one of the best films ever produced. In my top 5 of all time...
When it comes to found money, never try to do the right thing. In most instances.
Yeah, claiming “finder’s keepers,” past the age of 8, is pretty pathetic.
“...told her daughter that “she had gotten rid of the money because it was cursed,”***
Sounds like the old scam fortune tellers used to pull on old people.
Found what in the garden? Never heard of it.
Yes, great movie. 
Another reason to hate broccoli.
IMO, one of the best films ever produced. In my top 5 of all time...
Didnt know it was that good. I’ve been on an old movie kick lately. There’s better storylines, patrotism, moral values, and none of the “crap” they feel like they have to put in movies nowadays. They’re just more wholesome and you dont havet worry about changing the channel if they show nudity or start spraying GD out of their foul mouths. Someone recommended “Sergeant York” so I may look for both of ‘em
I can only hope I'll find "cursed" treasure like that!
Finders keepers.
If I see you drop a hundred dollar bill, yeah, it’s common courtesy to give it back. You bury it on my property, it’s a donation.
Dementia complicates the issue.
This wasn’t someone being careless. This was a woman with clinical dementia. She was not in her right mind. She didn’t know what she was doing.
Assuming of course the story is correct.
Maybe the IRS will take the money.
said his lawyer, Robert Burke....That is where it would have gone, anywho. If the neighbor buried it, tough crapola. If she was that bad off, someone should have looked after her. Of course they would’nt unless they figured she had some stash. TS. If you found briefcase with that amount of money, no ID and no advertising as to who lost it, what would you do? I’d keep it, shut my mouth and dole it out to myself at $9000 bucks at a crack. I’ve found LOTS of money in bank bags from people who forgot to deposit it and left it on top of their cars, bank envelopes and bands of cash with identifiable names on it and returned this cash to the original owners. Never got a thanks. I’ve also found bank envelopes laying on the street with no name, no receipt and treated myself.
Oh, so that’s where I dropped my bag of money.
Yes, I’m not familiar with Treasure of the Sierra Madre, only heard of it and the famous “badges” scene. I will have to check it out. I’ve seen bits and pieces of Sgt. York on TV and it’s been great. BTW, I read somewhere where Spielberg wants to re-make Grapes of Wrath. The guy is out of ideas.
Treasures tend to ruin lives. It is an odd thing.
Sgt. York is one of the top ten for me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.