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Honest Man Returns Mistaken $2M Check

Posted: 2007-11-28 13:03:55

SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 28) -- There are probably a million ways Jerry Mika could spend $2 million dollars. Trouble is, he couldn't cash the check. Expecting a $15 refund from the Utah Department of Commerce, the Draper man opened his mail recently to find a $2,245,342 check.

"I kept trying to find a way to make it legitimate so I could cash it," he said. "I did think about all the things I could do with the money ... who wouldn't?"

Mika returned the check a mistake that occurred when an employee entered a serial number, not an amount to state finance offices Wednesday.

"Clearly we have an honest, honest citizen. I wish I could do something more than say thanks," commerce department director Francine Giani said.

Giani said the state will implement additional internal controls to catch such mistakes in the future. A new computer system, which only requires entering the amount of a check once, might have contributed to the problem, she said.

Mika, who runs the nonprofit Providence Foundation to help Nepalese sherpas, said he's had great fun showing off the state's mistake.

"Everybody looked at it, started giggling and asked why I wasn't already in Switzerland," he said.

He admits to being tempted to deposit the money and draw a bit interest before the state asked for its return.

"That money would have gone a long way," he said.

But ultimately honestly and the idea of spending time at the Utah state prison made Mika too nervous to do anything.

Because the check was state-issued, cashing it would probably have been easy, despite the large amount, Giani said.

"It was a valid check," said Rick Beckstead, the state accounting operation manager whose signature is stamped on the check. "But it would have been caught when we did reconciliation and we would have been after him for the refund."

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Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2007-11-28 12:32:03

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373 comments

brbartle3 09:28:41 PM Dec 01 2007

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Because he comtemplated so much about drawing interest and finding legitimate ways to cash it makes me believe he is not as honest as he claims to be. If he could have gotten away with cashing it would he? I think so, just my opinion. Of course I would have contemplated what to do myself but I'm no saint!

makeminevawine 07:07:00 PM Dec 01 2007

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Nepalese Sherpas????? Gimme a break! :p

jag111 05:22:00 PM Dec 01 2007

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he shoulda spent that son!! dude is dumb

jadarentas 03:42:00 PM Dec 01 2007

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Good to see there are still some honest folks out there! He'll be rewarded in other ways.

dolfanman93 03:19:08 PM Dec 01 2007

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He had to be single or have a wife as honest as he was. Because otherwise, his wife would have spent it all at the Mall as soon as she saw the check's amount.

jpatrick1952 03:15:00 PM Dec 01 2007

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The article said all they could do was say thanks

The problem seems to be attributed to a "new" software program (probably from India) that only requires one entry of the amount. New and improved is not always new and improved. Seems they ought to fire the idiot that bought the software. Oh, that falls on the Director of finace, an appointtee and the Governor. That ain't happening. I am sure the clerk was fired.

djarac 03:06:02 PM Dec 01 2007

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They should reward him for his honesty that would be nice.

Also I hope then didn't fire the person that made the check.

God bless that man for making the right choice. Everyday we have choices, lets make the right one.

jpatrick1952 03:04:00 PM Dec 01 2007

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Because the check was state-issued, cashing it would probably have been easy, despite the large amount, Giani said. She is the State Director of Commerce.

I guess you idiots do not read very well (ty34555 and kjprince, who advertises his illiteracy)

The government steals billions from us everyday, I would have booiked a flight to the islands. That is what your Congressmen do!