Thinking

by: L Jones

Pennies from heaven, or so fifty-five year old Randy Pratt of Pennsylvania thought when he checked is bank account and noticed his $1,772.50 deposit had miraculously transformed into $177,250 in an instant. “Thank you Jesus.” Hell, I would have thought it to. The way the banks and other financial institutions are constantly raping the consumers and bankers, it’s high time they kick some of that money back. Unfortunately, this was not the time. Not with banks closing left and right and a weak economy. Banks are counting every penny now, even the ones from heaven.

Now, Randy Pratt and 36-year-old Melissa Pratt face trial in Columbia County Court on felony theft and conspiracy charges. They waived a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

The trouble started when Randy deposited $1,772.50 into his FNB Bank account and $177,250 on the receipt. Authorities say that the couple withdrew the money, quit their jobs and moved to Florida, without mentioning the mistake to the bank.

Randy Pratt told the Bloomsburg Press Enterprise he did attempt to ask the bank what happened, but was ignored. He said he considered the money “a gift from God.” At this point, I guess I would say just about anything too.

They were buying a house in the Orlando area when the mistake was traced.

The couple gave away thousands of dollars, including $25,000 to a Florida church shelter for the homeless, he said. Hopefully the churches in the community will pull together to help pay for the legal fees. Doubt it though.

Randy Pratt remains in county prison after a judge denied an appeal to lower his $100,000 bail. Melissa Pratt, who told the court she was estranged from her husband, was free on unsecured bail. Yup, that’s sounds about right.

Now you tell me if this isn’t a classic case of more money, more problems.  As my grand daddy used to say, “See y’all in the funny papers.”