Alleged sex victims sue after predator wins $3 mil lottery in Florida

Excellent, may this haunt him forever...

"In 2010, the Legislature eliminated a statute of limitations for victims of sexual battery younger than 16. "

As there should be, even older than 16.

"The lawsuit was filed by two brothers, who were ages 9 and 5 when Poole was arrested."

Were they part of the original indictment?

"Two alleged victims of a registered sex offender have filed a lawsuit seeking damages for pain and suffering after the man won $3 million in a Florida Lottery jackpot."

Don't want to play the devil advocate but coming forward 15 years later for compensation?

Also, why on earth evil people can be as lucky as winning the lottery?

Do people have no shame anymore, launching these lawsuits? They really want permanent incarceration for sex offenders of any type. Sorry, but I don't think Florida can afford to build that many prisons.

Do people have no shame anymore, launching these lawsuits?

You're kidding, right? Going after a convicted pedophile for damages now that he's come into a significant amount of money is what you found shameful in this article? You might do well to rethink your priorities.

"Poole was accused of sexually battering a 9-year-old boy in 1999. Poole denied the allegations but pleaded guilty to attempted sexual battery and was sentenced to time served."

This was a very common plea bargain. The prosecutors like them because they are spared the expense of an actual trial where they may not have strong enough evidence and reduces the overloaded court system of a case and the costs. The accused often accept them to avoid prison time and get their freedom back, even as convicted felons. They often have to wear the equivalent of a Scarlet Letter though.

Buying a lottery ticket was unlucky, I think. Now, he's back in an unwanted spotlight. Bet he didn't plan on that.

If this was anything besides suspicion of pedophilia, some people would harbor considerably more doubt and be much more conscious of basic principles of justice and punishment and also the details of the crime alleged. For example, I don't see where the boy who was five at the time was involved at all.

Some people are more willing to give murderers a second chance and declare that if they did their time they can and should return to society. Never letting someone live down their past is precisely how you create repeat offenders! Is that what people want?

Going after a convicted pedophile for damages now that he's come into a significant amount of money is what you found shameful in this article?

Going after someone again for additional $ when that clearly wasn't on their mind when they had the first chance to ruin his life is what I find shameful.

Going after someone again for additional $ when that clearly wasn't on their mind

Additional money? A criminal conviction doesn't result in any money for the victim of the crime.

when they had the first chance to ruin his life is what I find shameful.

Pedophile victim blaming now? That's not just shameful--it's downright disgusting.

Going after someone again for additional $ when that clearly wasn't on their mind when they had the first chance to ruin his life is what I find shameful.

Who cares. He's a pedophile. Go after him every few years until he dies, and that will still be light on him.

The guy is scum no doubt, but I don't believe the boys have a strong case for a few reasons:

1) Double jeopardy is in play. (You can't be convicted/tried for the same crime twice / whatever rulings are decided must be used for future cases unless overturned with future evidence). For the case/crime in play he was only convicted of attempted sexual assault... so the boys can't go into this case with the assumption/predisposition that this jerkoff molested them.

2) The perp did the crime and served his allotted time. He is (in the eyes of the law) a free man with some exceptions (being on the offender's list / having to report in to things).

3) The boys are going to have to show that, indeed, they have been suffering (ongoing meetings with a shrink? etc) to show that this isn't just a money grab.

We obviously need more details, but from what I read there is no black and white here.

Double jeopardy is in play. (You can't be convicted/tried for the same crime twice / whatever rulings are decided must be used for future cases unless overturned with future evidence).

Double jeopardy applies to being tried twice criminally, but this is a civil lawsuit. Civil lawsuits don't count for double jeopardy.

The perp did the crime and served his allotted time. He is (in the eyes of the law) a free man with some exceptions (being on the offender's list / having to report in to things).

See above.

The boys are going to have to show that, indeed, they have been suffering (ongoing meetings with a shrink? etc) to show that this isn't just a money grab.

Not necessarily. If they can show they suffered in the first place, they should be eligible for damages.

@Strangerland: I would be interested to know more from the boys' point of view. I mean, it's a big difference if they're just grabbing cash or if they have truly been suffering. If they have been getting therapy, or suffering from depression or whatever then I totally agree they should get damages.

If they are being truthful, there should be plenty of evidence they can present to put this jerks money in the hands of people who can use it. (they should be 21ish right? That's college money right there)

They were sexually abused. Who cares if they are still suffering or not. If they are, they deserve the money. If they aren't, it's in spite of being sexually abused. They deserve the money regardless.

For once, Strangerland, I agree with you totally. Scipantheist, you got it the wrong way round, HE ruined THEIR lives by HIS actions, and if they have had the support to get through and thrive despite the abuse they suffered, then they still deserve the money.

Yes and let's make the lottery one more institution that has to check everyone's papers to make sure they are above board. SMH

I have no sympathy for pedophiles should have nothing to do with his case. If the a lottery win comes with conditions that people can suddenly go after your money, they should state that right off the bat.

Funny how victims of sexual abuse all of a sudden remember when it is convenient. Real victims of emotional and or physical abuse do not need to remember because they never forget and are traumatised forever. Do not make a mockery of those that have genuinely suffered and play on the publics hatred of pedophiles for you own gain.

Going after someone again for additional $ when that clearly wasn't on their mind when they had the first chance to ruin his life is what I find shameful. so its fine that hes probably ruined to lives of his victims, just as his victims will live with the pain the rest of there lives, this sex offender should also live with an equal or greater amount of pain, whatever form in comes in , financial, mental, physical. none of these internet police should comment on something they know nothing about, I have a relative who lives with the mental pain of being a victim of a sex offender and the pain is very real!

Scipantheist, of course this sex offender should be allowed to play the lotto, but his victims should also have the right to take him to court for compensation for their suffering. Therapy bills are not cheap, and he escaped terribly lightly with what he did to them. Steve, how do you know these boys are not "traumatised forever"? Wanting compensation does not equal not traumatised. Why should he live in luxury on this money, while they suffer for the rest of their lives. Don't you think their trauma has negatively affected their future earning potential?

Yes and let's make the lottery one more institution that has to check everyone's papers to make sure they are above board.

Where did anyone say anything even remotely close to that? Bit of a strawman innit.

If the a lottery win comes with conditions that people can suddenly go after your money, they should state that right off the bat.

The lottery doesn't come with that condition. If the guy had suddenly come into an inheritance of 3 million dollars, the kids could go after that money the same way. The method of coming into the money is irrelevant, and therefore the possible outcome of coming into the money is not a condition of coming into it.

Funny how victims of sexual abuse all of a sudden remember when it is convenient.

Whatever makes you think they suddenly remembered it? For most victims of pedophiles, it's something they never forget. It's likely they never bothered with a civil suit, because this guy had no value making a suit worthwhile. Now that he has money, suing him his worthwhile.

This case is complex and there's too little information here. If the two can show they actually are victims of abuse by this man, then surely criminal charges should follow as the perpetrator only pleaded guilty to an offence against one boy.

Even having served his time (not without incident according to the article), if Poole had no means to compensate his victims in the past, it seems reasonable that genuine victims should seek that compensation now that funds are available.

If I had been molested as a child by a 450 lb man who has been arrested 12 times, I certainly wouldn't forget it. And I'd be pretty unhappy to see such a person get awarded $3 million for absolutely nothing. I'd sue him just to be sure he doesn't get to enjoy the money. I'd rather see the lawyers spend it, and I hate lawyers.

They only want his money, while not good to begin with he has done his time 15 years ago

How long did Poole actually spend in jail?

He did 13 months, released on licence, failed to attend his mandatory counselling sessions, and was put back inside for 3 years as a result. The boys were only 9 and 5 at the time. Gogogo, they deserve every cent he has and will ever have. He paid his price to society with the paltry amount of time served, but he has not recompensed these children for their loss and suffering. Whilst no amount is enough for what he has done, the three million will have to do.

They only want his money

And they should get it!

he has done his time 15 years ago

But he hasn't paid his price.