Lady Luck smiled on a few House members last year.
New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone claimed nearly $25,000 in lottery winnings in 2010, according to the latest yearly disclosure forms filed with the House of Representatives.
Likewise, Rep. Dave Reichert, a Washington state Republican, won somewhere in the range $200 to $1,000 during a trip to the Snoqualmie Casino outside Seattle.
Mr. Pallone, a Democrat, owes his haul to his dad. The congressman and his brother pool their money with their father, who buys lottery tickets just about every day at a convenience store near his used-car lot, the congressman said.
Last year, the trio finally won a big prize, claiming $75,000. Split three ways, that came out to $24,835 for Mr. Pallone. He said it was the family’s biggest win, and that his dad continues to play.
With the win, Mr. Pallone joins retired New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg and Wisconsin Rep. James Sensenbrenner as members of Congress to win the lottery.
after dividing 75K 3 ways i don't get 24,835 before taxes or after taxes..why this odd amount..after taxes it should be about 51K divided 3 ways for about 17K apiece... or do these state rep hacks get out of paying taxes (probably)? as far as reichert 200.00 casino win goes how does anyone know that. it is certainly under the tax threshhold and certainly not reportable...
My personal opinion is that government officials should be prohibited from playing the lottery the same as lottery officials. I think it's not only important to maintain propriety but to also remove the slightest hint of impropriety.
They all seem to become millionaires or multi-millionaires in office anyway without winning the lottery.
According to US tax laws, all casino and lottery wins are taxable and must be reported regardless of the amount. Even though I do not live in the US, I have filed US tax returns to declare US lottery wins.
I also thought the $24,835 was an odd amount. I think the amount represents what he won minus what he spent. And so he only pays taxes on $24,835 and that becomes the reported number.
I am glad that a Politician got to pay more of the very high taxes in NJ ................
let them contribute .................... they should be excluded if they have any direct oversight of the lottery though ..................
How nice, congrats.
I didn't know politicians played the lottery.......first celebrities(Simon Cowell) now lawmakers.......whose next????
quote monty burns
when asked what he was going to do with it he replied " throw it on the pile with the rest "
they need to play a lot more....come 2012 they will need money comeing in to live on.....i hope the best for all of u
Welcome to Lottery Post hillbillybob!
I don't feel so alone now!
Yeeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Wouldn't you like to hear that at a news conference?
Opera singers, dog catchers.