The victims of a convicted sex offender are looking for justice in the form of lottery money.
43-year-old Timothy Poole, who recently won Florida’s $3 million scratch off lottery, was arrested in 2001 for molesting a boy in 1999 when he was 9 years old. Now, two brothers who allege that Poole molested them in 1996 have sued the lottery winner, claiming that he owes them for psychological damages. The brothers were 5 and 9-years-old at the time of the incident.
“We are not attempting to get him any additional prison time,” attorney Mark NeJame said. “He has served his time to society, but he has not served his dues for the alleged massive damage caused to these children." NeJame and attorney Jason Recksiedler are looking to have Poole’s winnings frozen until the suit is settled in case he attempts to “squander, hide or otherwise dispose of assets.”
According to WPTV, the state “eliminated a statute of limitations for victims of sexual battery younger than 16” in 2010, allowing victims to bring cases forward no matter how much time has passed.
Poole’s $20 scratch off won him the prize earlier this month, which he opted to receive in a $2,219,807.90 lump sum. The winning sparked controversy; with many claiming that Poole, who recently has worked as a taxi driver, should not be allowed to keep his fortune. Despite the public outcry, there is no law that prevents sex offenders from playing the lottery.
Source: Opposing Views
