Thieves Steal $545,00 From Powerball Winner at Strip Club

AP ^ | August 5,2003 | By Joedy McCreary Associated Press Writer

[jmq]

Thieves Steal $545,00 From Powerball Winner at Strip Club; Money Is Recovered By Joedy McCreary Associated Press Writer Published: Aug 5, 2003

CROSS LANES, W.Va. (AP) - More than half a million dollars was stolen early Tuesday from a Powerball winner's vehicle parked outside a strip club, but the money was recovered, a sheriff's deputy said. Someone broke a window in Jack Whittaker's sport utility vehicle around 2:30 a.m. and took a briefcase containing $245,000 in cash and three blank $100,000 cashier's checks, Kanawha County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Phil Morris said.

The briefcase, cash and checks were later found behind a trash bin on the property, Morris said.

Whittaker "gambles quite a bit, and we believe that's the reason that the large sum of money was in (his) possession at this time," he told the Charleston Daily Mail.

Whittaker claimed a $113 million cash option after winning a record $314.9 million Powerball jackpot on Christmas Day. He promised to give a tenth of his winnings to churches, and has so far given away at least $3 million, the newspaper said.

Police have suspects but no arrests have been made, Morris said. A window on a second vehicle parked on the lot also was broken, he said.

Whittaker was at the club later Tuesday morning but left without commenting. His spokesman, Bill Bissett, did not return a telephone message seeking comment.

The Pink Pony is about a mile from Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming in Nitro, but it was not clear if Whittaker had been at the greyhound track.

AP-ES-08-05-03 1149EDT

[jmq]

This guy obviously is spending his money wisely. I mean, generally only pay ten to fifteen per dance, sometimes twenty if they are "real good"........

[Petronski]

Just . . . damn?

[danneskjold]

Whittaker was at the club later Tuesday morning but left without commenting. His spokesman, Bill Bissett, did not return a telephone message seeking comment.

How's that for a job title - Powerball Winner Spokesman...

[dfwgator]

What's that about "a fool and his money..."?

[Semper Paratus]

Never, and I repeat, Never take your lottery winnings to the Bada-Bing!

[George Smiley]

I'll bet there's a veritable traffic jam of golddiggers, con artists and just plain thieves in that area about now.

I believe that no comments are necessary concerning the intelligence of anybody who leaves such a large amount of cash and negotiable instruments in their car.

[RightWhale]

The thieves discarded the cash. What were they looking for?

[holyscroller]

A fool and his money... It will probably take this guy a year or less to blow it all.

Nice that hes giving a tenth to the church, but the 90% spent at the strip club and gambling kind of negates that. Big time.

[RightWhale]

the 90% spent at the strip club and gambling kind of negates that.

No kidding. He could set up his own strip club and gambling hall. Obviously not cut from entrepreneurial cloth.

[ken5050]

MIke Tyson is his financial adviser...

About 10 years ago, a guy won like $25 mill in the NY lottery..he showed up to collect his prize, wearing a homburg, with his wife AND his girlfriend..his name was Curtis something...he did a bunch of ads for the lottery later..the press was taken with him...he filed for bankruptcy last year...

[shadowman99]

Good News: You've won the powerball and you're set for life!
Bad News: You've a big perv and you've just been marked for life!

[Lucy Lake]

Hasn't this guy ever heard of banks?

[yankeedame]

Nice that hes giving a tenth to the church, but the 90% spent at the strip club and gambling kind of negates that. Big time.

LOL! Yeah, his 10% to the Church seems more like an insurance policy than a donation.

[The South Texan]

I guess this guy has never heard of an ATM card or a no pre- set limit AMEX card.

[apillar]

Actually...

I knew Mr. Whittaker, in passing, from back when I did some contract work at the state capitol. He came into the capitol often to apply for permits etc. Seemed like a nice enough fellow.

He was a millionaire even before he won the powerball. He owns one of the larger contracting firms in the Charleston, WV area.

[biblewonk]

He most of his money on wine, women and song and the rest he just squandered away.

[stevio]

The bankruptcy rate for lottery winners is extremely high, although I don't know what the percentage is. Anyone?

[sticker]

How many colleges have contacted him to ask if he would be interested in coaching the football team?

[motzman]

Whittaker claimed a $113 million cash option after winning a record $314.9 million Powerball jackpot on Christmas Day.

Whatda?

[taxed2death]

......you could get one HELL of a lap dance for that money.