Waitress Sues After Police Seize $12,000 'Tip' Left For Her...

Analog

Lifer
Jan 7, 2002
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MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP/WCCO) — A waitress in Minnesota is suing after $12,000 was left at her restaurant table — she says it was a tip but police say, it’s drug money, according to The Forum.
The lawsuit was filed in Clay County District Court and alleges that the waitress found a box, left at her table at the Fryn’ Pan restaurant in Moorhead. She said she followed the customer to her car to return the box but the woman told her to keep it.



The waitress said she found bundled rolls of cash inside the box, totaling $12,000.
She said even though she has five children and could use the money, she decided to call police, according to The Forum.
Officers told the woman to wait 90 days in case someone claimed the money. The Forum reports that after three months, police told the woman the cash was being held as drug money.


http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/04/04/was-12000-a-restaurant-tip-or-drug-money/
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
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tbqhwy.com
while it is prob drug money or some other non legal type of money, don't the cops have to prove that, if they haven't they really should give it back to her
 

MetalMat

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2004
9,687
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Why did she call the police? I mean if everything she said was legit I don't see what is illegal about her keeping the money.
 

djnsmith7

Platinum Member
Apr 13, 2004
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I wonder if she was worried about someone going after her & her 5 kids for that money. I had the same thoughts you guys did about calling the police at first, but then I thought about her kids. That's not something you would want your kids to be involved in, if something went down.
 

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
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I wonder if she was worried about someone going after her & her 5 kids for that money. I had the same thoughts you guys did about calling the police at first, but then I thought about her kids. That's not something you would want your kids to be involved in, if something went down.

Seriously, I'd call them too. Sure, it would be great to just receive a nice little payday like that - but... in this world? Who knows who is watching who, because I'd be very very curious about how and why someone was even carrying such a box filled with cash.

I'm seen too many movies, sure... but to me it screamed "got to offload this cash somewhere!" and... in such a case, is someone watching the person with the money? Is that someone going to come after me? Is she going to finger me as the one with the money after someone beats the answer out of her as to "where's the money? where's my money lady?!"
I'd be worried, and want to cover my ass and family - I don't want to get involved in that kind of bullshit just because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But I'd really, really want that money. And would fight to get it back, drug money or not - if I fulfilled my end of the bargain played the good citizen.
Drug money or not - all that becomes is "bonus money" for the police department. Finders keepers bitches, you don't get claim to spend it - I had that claim first. :p
 

Lifted

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2004
5,748
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money is gone

hookers 'n blow


Police are arguing the money had a strong odor of marijuana and that it therefore falls under a state law that allows money to be seized if it’s found in proximity to controlled substances, the lawsuit states. A police dog also performed a sniff test on the money, and his handler believed the dog detected an odor, the lawsuit states.

Richie said police have told him the cash isn’t available for independent drug testing.
lulz
 
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AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
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Strong odor of marijuana? Lmaoooo. Now if they said they found it covering a kilo of cocaine then ok. They lined their pockets with that.
 

dud

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
7,635
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Why the hell did she call the cops in the first place?




All good deeds will not go unpunished. The police are probably right ... it is drug money but the waitress's simple act of doing what is "right" may leave her $12,000 short and lead others to believe that doing what is right ... is wrong.
 

DCal430

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2011
6,020
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while it is prob drug money or some other non legal type of money, don't the cops have to prove that, if they haven't they really should give it back to her

Legally No they don't. You in fact are one who has to prove the money is legitimate.
 

DCal430

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2011
6,020
9
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It is legit. It was a tip and the waitress stated as such. It is up to the police to prove it was illegally obtained.

That isn't what the courts have ruled. This issue has come up many times before the courts, and they always have said as long as the police have a reasonable suspicion of the money, it is up to you must prove that it is legit.

When it comes to things like money, the courts are clear the money belongs to them, unless you prove otherwise.
 
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BladeVenom

Lifer
Jun 2, 2005
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while it is prob drug money or some other non legal type of money, don't the cops have to prove that, if they haven't they really should give it back to her

Only people are innocent until proven guilty. The money is guilty until proven innocent. The government has confiscated lots of things with that sophistry.
 

Via

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2009
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I still remember that apocolyptic, big-brotherish, doomsday story of the guy who was taking a business trip to buy young trees. When he paid for the plane ticket in cash an overzealous ticket agent called the cops and they took his money (I think around $8000).

He tried to explain that the business requires cash, but they kept the money anyway. In the end - he wasn't arrested or charged with anything but never got his money back.

Does anyone remember that story, or is my brain full of holes?
 
Mar 10, 2005
14,647
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I still remember that apocolyptic, big-brotherish, doomsday story of the guy who was taking a business trip to buy young trees. When he paid for the plane ticket in cash an overzealous ticket agent called the cops and they took his money (I think around $8000).

He tried to explain that the business requires cash, but they kept the money anyway. In the end - he wasn't arrested or charged with anything but never got his money back.

Does anyone remember that story, or is my brain full of holes?

i dunno...$10k or more is what must be reported to the federales
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
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That isn't what the courts have ruled. This issue has come up many times before the courts, and they always have said as long as the police have a reasonable suspicion of the money, it is up to you must prove that it is legit.

When it comes to things like money, the courts are clear the money belongs to them, unless you prove otherwise.

Yep. If you have a large amount of cash on you, and you can't, or won't, explain it's legitimate origins, you can expect to lose it if the police find it.

Even if you somehow manage to get them to give it back, it will only be after a prolonged and expensive legal battle.