hannah: I buy a $1 lottery ticket every week, and I have some financial problems at times, but I consider it a small price to pay for a little entertainment that with lots of luck could pay off someday. I wouldn't ever spend more than that $1. I also want you to know many of us pay our internet by the year so don't judge us. Just because currently we may be financialy in need, our bills were already paid when times were better. And yes the library also offers free internet.
Stop being so judgmental about what other people decide to do with their money.
I do hope the family gets some sort of reward for finding the money,if not all of it. By the way no matter how they choose to spend it, I hope they make themselves happy.

Troublegirl, it's none of your business how someone spends the money they have. Why not worry about your own self.

Hannah, concentrate more on your spelling then how these people are going to spend the "found" money they rightfully deserve!

OOOF.
Cashed out your 401ks? BAD, BAAD idea.
Next you'll say you're paying your ARM no down payment nortgage with your credit cards.

When we lost our jobs we cashed out our 401Ks. That is how I can afford internet.

There are computers that are FREE TO USE at the library.

Amazingly enough, those of you that say you are unemployed can afford your computers and internet service to leave your ridiculous little opinions here. That's putting your child support money to good use!

I agree with you Tammy.

Hannah, do you know these people personally? You must, because I don't know any other way that you would be able to "see them throwing it away on lottery tickets hoping to get more". That's a pretty presumptuous comment to make, isn't it? They found the money, they deserve to keep it. Beyond that, how they spend it is noboby's business.

housewife...would that be money laundering?? lol

hanna- I'm not living off you or other peoples tax money. I'm not on any state aid. I'm not out to have people feel sorry for me. I do get some part time work once in awhile driving cars for a used lot in town. That is why I'm not living on state aid.
My point was that some people fall on hard times not by their choice. These people are retired and having difficlt times. Anyone knows that the older people have a more difficult time finding work.

Copperguy: Thank you for the well written post and concise information.
I do laugh at the Contraband designation however- I did read in an independent study that up to 35% of ones and five dollar bills have cocaine residue on them.
Next time I play tooth fairy I will wash the money first....

If they get the money they can use it to buy lottery tickets and if they win they'll be moving on up to the eastside to that deeeelux apartment in the sky!!!

I say, let the people keep the money. They can take it to Vegas and put it on a hard 8

copperguy; Amen brother. Now, before all of you in bloggerland take this literally, this is only a saying. copperguy is NOT my brother. In fact I do not even know him. (At least by his username.)

Yepper, wisconsinheat. The information I presented was just to answer some of the questions that were raised. Note that I did not speak to any of the "good intentions," or laziness issues. I'm not voicing any opinion on those issues. Just clarifying some definitions and talking about those resources (rewards, Crimestoppers) that are available, in general.
Here is an opinion, though, since you mentioned it. Television and Hollywood really do a disservice to the extent that they lead folks to believe they portray reality. Criminal justice is hugely more complicated and protracted than is presented to the viewing public.

Copperguy. "Money used in a criminal (i.e. drug) investigation is contraband. No matter how one comes into possession of it, it is unlawful to possess it."

I agree with everything you said, BUT although the general public can and does assume everything they see on tv (or read in the Gazette) must be true we both know that as Paul Harvey says' "here's the rest of the story."
Just because the money was found in the defrost tray of the refrigerator does not necessarily mean that ALL of that money is "DRUG MONEY". It probably is, BUT, the state has to PROVE that it is, which is not as easy to do as it might seem. Therefore,
the bottom line is probably the serial numbers of the "buy money" will determine how much if any the tenants get to keep.

Another thing I thought of is that any monies that came from a drug investigation may not even belong to the Janesville PD. It is possible that they could have come from a multi-agency task force that Janesville may or may not be a part of, or from another agency altogether.

The rules concerning the cash seem to be fairly clear, but I am inclined to ask why these rules are going to be followed to the letter of the law when so many other clear rules are not enforced and even overlooked. Everyone seems to warp morality to suit their own needs.

let them keep it. or do what they want with it. you can see that the police dept. couldn't find it and neither could the landlord. who cleaned this place anyways.. who ever it was they can't clean or they would of found it and do you think they would of turn the money in ???

Also, here is an interesting link I happened upon a while back:

http://theethicsguy.com/quiz.html

I see some folks asking legitimate questions, some of which I can shed some light on.

First, keep in mind that contraband is contraband. That is, anything which it is unlawful to possess. Controlled substances, alcohol by an underage person, burglarious tools, etc., all all examples. Anything that is used in the commission of, or is the product of a crime, is contraband. So, if someone steals a valuable (best example for me is a pocketwatch that's been in the family since 1800s) from you and hocks it, only to have an innocent and uninvolved person buy it, that innocent person is not entitled to it because it is stolen property. It is contraband.

Money used in a criminal (i.e. drug) investigation is contraband. No matter how one comes into possession of it, it is unlawful to possess it.

Now, regarding the policy on found/unclaimed property, I have not been able to locate a statutory reference. I wouldn't be surprised if there is one, but those things are tedious to research. Nonetheless, most agencies have policies mirroring the one outlined in the article.

With regard to releasing names, they are public record. Unless there is a statory prohibition on release (such as names of juvenile offenders), the department has little choice but to release the information.

Depending on whether or not the drug case is already disposed and the exact nature of the case, the finders MAY be entitled to a cash reward for information helping to convict. There's also the Crimestopper program which is probably available in Rock County/Janesville.

As to the landlord's interest, I'm going to SPECULATE (how's that for a disclaimer?). Most rental and lease agreements specify that which is the landlord's property. For example, appliances, window treatments, etc.. The building and improvements are a given. I would GUESS that the landlord would have a tough time making the case for an ownership interest in items not so specified. This is reasoned speculation only!

Hope this information is helpful. Glad to see folks interested in understanding these things!

I am as guilty as anyone.

HONEYBEE & HANNA, WHY DONT YOU GET EACH OTHERS EMAIL ADDRESS AND DUKE THIS OUT BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU. LIKE GARYPRIMER SAID, THIS IS ABOUT MONEY!!!

thank you garyprimer these blogs too often end up in other directions does anyone have a view to share on the topic?

Hanna I know car sales very well I have a dealer's license and attend the auctions on a regular basis if you are at a dealership then you know the last few months are down times the next couple will be the best all year due to taxes. How often do dealerships hire women sales people with no expierence with cars unless it's in the office doing paperwork. Some people do live paycheck to paycheck and when you loose that income it can be hard to get back in the game yes she does need to go out and search for jobs mabey she is we don't know that or do we know her education and experience levels. I myself have never been on state aid and hopefully will never need to be but I have a strong support system some do not. When you have children it makes it that much harder I am not making excuses for her All I am saying is that you don't know her circumstances neither do I. People are sometimes nasty and too quick to judge because they have not walked the path of others. Being a business owner I see different circumstances daily and know some do try some do not. I don't condone people using the system I can't tell you how often people come in with their work papers (from welfare) at 4 in the afternoon wanting them signed so it appears that they are looking for a job if they are not dressed approperately and do not appear to really want a job I will refuse to sign.

Hey! You guys! Money found in a refrigerator! It's about money found in a refrigerator.

myyear08 and hanna are you two friends or what because you both seem to be very stuck up and judgemental. Before you ask I own my own business and let me tell you times can be very good one month and hard the next situations happen. Have either of you heard of the poverty level for families how the hell is this woman to support herself and her child on a McDonalds wage give me a brake. Your lives must not be perfect either or you would not have to vent your frustrations online. I do realize that there are lazy bumbs who would like nothing more than to lay on their couch all day but this woman sounds like she just fell on hard times it happens give her a break. And to address the issue at hand give the people a reward for finding it give the rest to agencys helping keep drugs off the streets.

MAYBE THEY SHOULD OF TAKEN SOME OF THE MONEY, KEPT IT AND WENT ON A SKY DIVING TRIP WITH THE MONEY. WAITED FOR THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS TO RUN OUT, THEN WALK INTO THE JANESVILLE POLICE DEPT. AND SAY NOW I WANT ALL MY MONEY. JUST LIKE THE BANK ROBBER DID THAT LEAPED FROM THE PLANE IN THE MOUNTAINS OUT WEST.THOSE OF YOU THAT REMEMBER THIS STORY WILL UNDERSTAND.

Firehouse3... Out of all those charities not one of then has offered you a job or even directed you to the right place to find one . They must know you are living off of you childs ... Child support ? I don't need to list my many chartitable actions . I can pat my own self on the back . Clearly that is why you help them . Maybe this also is why you can't land a job . Lacking in self confidence clearly ..

The dollar store is hiring , so is Kwik Trip . point being . Take responsibilty for your self and your own life . I is what you make it . Done cry about it . .. CHANGE IT !

Sorry sweetie, no. But your response shows what kind of person you are.

I am a real estate agent. Anyone that reads or watches the tv knows what the market is like. I have been looking for a job and my husband is looking. My daughter has turned a app. into McDonals and guess what NO CALL and that was a month ago. So I'm not sitting on my butt all day. O and if anyone wants to know, I am working on 4 different fund raisers this year to help out ECHO, Battered womans shelter, Rock County Humane Society, and Carbone Cancer Research. What are you doing to help out the Community? What .. Nothing .. guess it's easy to find fault in people when you don't do anything. Look around there are plenty of charities that would love for you to help out.

garyprimer -- like I said, don't criticize unless you know what you're talking about. Obviously you don't. Enough breath wasted.

Let me guess you are unemployed as well ?

Wow, how judgmental.
Perhaps you didn't read that they both lost their jobs? Jobs aren't easy to come by anymore.
Hope you never end up in the same situation. Or perhaps you should, so you know what it's like and you get off your high-horse.

Firehouse3... You have one child and you are living off child support ? Let me be the first to tell you to get off your bum and get a job . Set a good example for your child . Don't sit on the computer all day waiting to comment on something only to try and get people to feel sorry for you . God helps those whom help themselves . No one is going to knock on your door and ask you to work for them . Since you didn't mention in your blog that you have been looking for a job . I can only guess that you have not been ! Check your fridge .... Maybe a work fairy will be in there and grant you three wishes !

hannah, I've used that method too.

But the smoking ban story first appeared in gazettextra yesterday and even though it had a lot of posts, it never appeared on the blog list.

Firehouse3...you go get another job instead of living off of the child support. Sometimes people have to just swallow the pride. McDonalds is always hiring.

hannah, thanks, I've used the search method to find that blog earlier today and other disappearing blogs in the past.

Don't know why stories disappear. Bloggers for interesting stories are lost.

The police department does a good job in this city and deserves our thanks and cooperation, but let's hope that the day never comes when we are not allowed to criticize them or question their actions. When you find yourself among the 1% of people who are "normal", you are exhibiting a classic symptom of insanity -- "everyone else is crazy".

bulbus1, are we suppose to believe that everything is fine where you live and that the elderly are nicely taken care of? Janesville is a good town; don't judge it by one odd incident.

BearsFan, good to see that a Bears fan can care so much about some cheeseheads.

I haven't read all the posts, but most are missing the point. Let the police have the drug, tainted, evil people's money. Lets help the couple. I have $1 I can spare to help with someone else's bills even when mine are over my head. The reason these things reach the news is so good people will help their fellow humans. Can the newspaper get a bank account number so we can send our $1s to this couple. God cares and so do we.

I should have added that they are entitled to any non-drug money not claimed after 90 days.

It's still a fact that the people only contacted the police after being told to do so by the bank.

The well written story explains what the rules are re: the money. The police don't have the authority to make arbitrary decisions in this matter.

The people are entitled to any amount that is not determined to be drug money. They rented the space in which it was found; the landlord isn't entitled to any of it.

maorpr: I for one am not bashing the police or the department. I know I couldn't do what they do on a daily basis. And, yes, there are good people in every job and lazy people in every job. Out of principle, I think they should get to keep the money. However, I do also understand and appreciate that there are rules in place for items that could potentially be part of a crime or sting. Since an outside agency is doing the testing and comparison, I have faith that if the money is not related to the drug dealers, the Meslers will get it back. Even if it is related to the drug dealers and the department keeps it per state statutes, I feel the Meslers should be compensated somehow for their honesty. We live in a "me society" and am afraid that not compensating them somehow could eventually deter others from coming forth in similar situations.

I HAPPEN TO AGREE VERRRY MUCH WITH GAYPRIMER (A FEW STORYS BACK)....LET THE COPS HAVE THE $2,830 BUCKS FOR EVIDENCE AND GIVE THE COUPLE A FINDERS FEE/REWARD OF $5000!!!..GEEZE! THEY GAVE IT BACK WHAT MORE DO PEOPLE WANT?...YOU KNOW...ITS EASY TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN YOU HAVE MONEY, BUT ITS MUCH MUCH HARDER TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN YOUR IN NEED AND POOR AND COULD USE THAT MONEY FOR SOOO MANY THINGS ....I WISH I HAD SOME MONEY TO SEND TO THAT COUPLE TO TRY AND HELP...BUT I DONT CUZ IM IN THE SAME BOAT AS THEM!....THINK ABOUT THAT!

i feel they should keep the money. it seems to me that it has been in the refridg. for a long time. they found it, they should keep it.
i doubt that the police department would give it back to the city.

jviers77 -- wow, looks like you and I are the only normal people that post. 99% of people that post are friggin' idiots when it comes to the law and police. And as I'm sure you know, they're the first ones to call 911 when they need help but then will be the first to complain about the response they got also. Don't waste your breath. I guarantee you that most of them have records themselves. And none of them have the guts to lay their lives on the line on a daily basis for anyone. They're about as brilliant as the druggies themselves and the so-called honest people that only turned the money into get fresh bills. What a joke.

"The finder may request a “reasonable fee” from the owner for the finder’s trouble, but getting any such fee from the owner is a private civil matter, in which police will not intervene."

I think $8,340 is fair and reasonable finders fee!

What happened to the "smoking ban" story that was getting a lot of posts?

It seems to me that the great detectives of Janesville are trying to save face by attempting to claim the money as contraband. They had their chance to find the money legally, and missed the boat! If the city of Janesville is in such dire need of the money these good people found, who were only doing the christian thing by turning it over, that they will strip them of this little amount of money that will make their life just a little bit easier for a few months, the city is in pretty bad shape. This money is not going to do anything but fund a party for some official who is leaving the dept. What a waste. Shame on you Janesville Police Department for even thinking that is your money. Why don't you try this on for size, dismiss the great detectives who missed the money. That should save the department more than what you are trying to take from this couple.

If the local government can't fund the infrastructure on their tax base then they need a reality check. If the couple had been associated with the drug dealers, then confiscate and take the money. The way it looks is the Local PD is trying to associate this find in order to forfit the proceeds.
Shame shame, return the money to the family who found the windfall, so their standard of living can lift them up. Remember they did the right thing by reporting it, now the Police need to do the God'ly thing of returning it.
Help those in need is also covered in the phrase "To Protect and Serve"!) Ask the local FOP for help if your department is in financial trouble, ask the City Fathers to increase your budget, seek grants from Federal level. BOTTOM LINE RETURN THE MONEY TO THOSE IN NEED, namely the family who is in poverty, and found the package in their freezer.
DO THE RIGHT THING, for next time it might be the other cheek, and GOD is watching over us all.

Kudos to fisherhouse3...I totally agree. Obviously no one missed the money and the drug dealers arent gonna say..."HEY thats my money". I am a single mother of 5 and I cant honestly say I would have said a word. I would spend it faster than what they could trace it, God will provide and I believe he has here. Give it back to them just for GP.

My concern is that if I found it and it turned out to be "drug money", do I want those serial numbers being traced back to me? I don't think so. Kudo's to the finders honesty. As for printing their names in the paper, would this be a public records situation, where you could search for a person who found money at a specific location? If these "drug dealers" really had an eye out for the money, they'd have been tracking it somehow.

Love the sarcasm evansvillewife! How the heck did you remember that 3 year old story?

Since this money is so valuable as police evidence in a pending case, the police should keep it and pay the finders a fee of $5000 for providing them with it. It will cost the police department nothing and they will make a tidy profit when they cash it in after it is no longer needed. They can probably more readily convince the bank to replace some of the more damaged notes than the average citizen. However if this is drug money, it falls under special rules of seizure and can be confiscated in its entirety whether it is germane to a pending case or not. Rules are rules and it is the police job to uphold them, so I don't expect to see the money going back to the finders. If I am wrong about this, it won't be the first time and it won't be the last time.

wisconsinheat, no sarcasm here, at last, an explanation!

It sounds like the money was found in the "defrosting tray" which is actually located underneath near the motor, not in the cold storage compartment. This is the area where the condensate drips in self defrosting refrigerators. That explains how it got "moldy."

It seems to me that the money should be the property of the landlord if it is returned. Like was mentioned before it was his/her refrigerator. Perhaps the best thing would be to split the money 50/50 between the family that found it and the landlord at least that would be fair. And I would have had that fridge/freezer cleaned BEFORE I PUT ANYTHING into it as you don't know what junk was in it before,obviously it couldn't have looked clean if they found the money package in it. To wait months after moving in to clean it sounds too gross to me.

Good point liesl. But I still say that if the serial numbers of any of the bills match the "buy money" those bills at least are evidence in a drug case which should be handled as such, regardless of when or how they were found.

ummmmmm this maybe dumb but i want to know who did the cleaning when the last tenent was kicked out? and why did the current ones take so long to clean it out? heck any time i have helped anyone move and the fridge was left that was one of the first things we cleaned completly including bleached out. dont think i would hire or have them clean for me ever again.

um...not to muddy the waters and all...but the refrigerator in which the money was found probably does not belong to the Meslers. Isn't it the property of the landlord? Wouldn't he/she be the rightful owner of any found property?

I am in favor of letting them keep the money!
Shame on the Janesville Gazette for printing this couples name on the front page of the paper!!! If the police searched the apartment and did not find it... that is their error.

Merry Christmas to the couple that found it. You better move... now the druggies know where you are and might want their money back!!! By rights it was theirs to begin with... NOT!

They should get to use the money to move!!!
That is the least we can do for them... they need to be safe!

Enjoy!

Leave it to the Gazette not to ask police why they never found the money during the search warrant. It seems to be the first question on everyone else's minds. And it's a question that police need to answer.

let them keep the money, they could use it more than the city. finders keepers.

In my minds eye I can see Deputy Chief Dave Moore, riding up on a white horse, search warrant in hand, to seize the contraband cash "in the name of the Janesville tax payers" I bet the well intentioned finders never saw 12 large disappear that quickly :)

Humor aside though, kudos to the finders and their honesty. If it is declared "contraband" I am sure the city fathers will find a spot to spend it, that is beneficial to all us taxpayers.

MYYEAR08 - unless you know these people personally, you have no right to judge their ability (or inability as you have so bluntly stated) to "live within their means". You have no idea what their circumstances are. Some people fall on hard times by no fault of their own.

Well where was the police department when they searched for drugs and the money before....guess they did not do a good job did they ., now they want the money nooo way . Who ever found it now should surely be able to keep it alllll.....that is for sure....If the police take it... they are for sure wrong in doing so. they could not find it the frist time in the ref... come on now

MYYEAR08- Good for you, you live within your means. My husband and I did too, until we lost our jobs. Now how do I pay my mortage of over $700 a month, Gas & electric (over $300 a month), and food each week of $50 for a family of 3 on only $440 a month in childsuppot. I wish I found that much money. I would'nt of turned it in. What ever happened to "Finders Keepers Loosers Weepers". If anyone thinks I'm an evil person, I say let them think that. If they know me, they know that I will help anyone that needs help.
I say let them keep the money!

wisconsinheat..
i have no idea but it sounds kinda ridiculous to me.

Who made up these "rules" of the JPD concerning found money / property?
Is this state law or just their suggestions.

if the money was found in a parking lot somewhere ok but they found the money in their freezer and im sure it has been there for more than 90 days and no one came knocking on the door to claim it so i would say its theirs. and if it were me. i would have gotten rid of the bad bills and kept the rest. it was more than they had before she cleaned the freezer.

Mikki What i believe is that there is a better cause for the money . Disable people have choices as well as the rest of us . I live with in my means and other people really need to learn how to do that as well . Just because they found the money does not make it theirs. If they truely need help then they need to contact their church or family and friends for that . If the money is meant for them then they would have it right now instead of having it at the police station . God does work in wonderful ways .

Oh come on. What's wrong with printing names of people who carry cash *cough cough Mary Sidoff* especially helpless elderly people *hack Ardele Sturzenegger murdered after news story about her found asleep in Big Lots with $80,000 cash on her cough*
Let them keep the money, then there will be a neat news story in a few months about them being murdered and robbed.

The Meslers are not as honest as this article attempts to illustrate them as... remember the bank actually held the money they attempted to exchange and suggested the couple contact the police.
Mr. Mesler says he is not greedy but then says, "I just want $8,340" - how is that not greedy??

MYYEAR08, hmmmm. So you think perhaps that this disabled person 'got himself' into debt and can't keep money they found?
Guess you're against any kind of assistance for anyone, since they 'got themselves' into the situation they did.

well now that the drug dealers know the money was found i am not sure the ones who found it are safe. maybe there is more money hidden in apt.

This isn't quite on topic, but I hope all you who constantly rip on the cops don't ever need their help someday. I know I'd hate to have to eat crow all day for the rest of my life. Some of you will some day be very lucky the cops can't pick and choose who to help based on what some of you say about them. There are incompetent people in every job, and there are great people in every job.

Releasing the finder's names! Another blunder by the police department. You know that dumb cop thing is just an entertainment stereotype. A comic relief. You guys shouldn't try to live up to it.

I'm surprised Hal at the Alpine didn't keep the $5 Jim found and turned in to him. He skipped town when his restaurant closed without planning to pay the employees because he somehow lost everything he had.

I hope, too, that the couple gets to keep the money. It'd be nice to have a good luck story like that right after such a dismal holiday season for so many with gas prices and inflation the way it's been.

I hope they let them keep this money!!! they were honest enough to cooperate with the police!!! maybe the police need to go back to school and be taught AGAIN how to search property!!!!

After posting the finders names.
I think all hopes of ever getting it back are now gone.

Sure and call the dealers and let them get word of the find and whom found it and could get it back..How nice.
Welcome to years of sleepless nights to the finders.

Because it is fun.

give them half the money. great job executing the search warrant!!

If the serial numbers on some of the bills match the serial numbers on the "buy money" then it is obviously evidence of a crime and should be handled as such even if it wasn't discovered at the time of the initial search. Any remaining money should be returned to the Meslers. The article doesn't say if this case or the appeal process is still pending, and if it is, this money could be the link to keep drug dealers locked up. Why is everyone so quick to jump to conclusions without all of the facts being known?

Maybe they could use it to help children born adicted to drugs ! Just because they found it does not make it theirs to keep . Use it to do something good . You got your self into bill problems , find a way to get yourself out . Nothing is for free besides love .

Maybe the police department should make a check list for their officers when they conduct a search.
1. Refrigerator
2. Cabinets
3. Right in front of you.

I AGREE LET THEM KEEP IT AT LEAST IT WILL HELP SOMEONE EVEN IF IT IS DRUG MONEY SOME GOOD WILL COME OUT OF IT

I agree, garyprimer!

Let them keep the money. Janesville's crack detectives had their chance to find it when they searched the apartment. I am sure they they closed the search and that should be that. If the money were to be key evidence in a trial case, that would be a different situation, but then I think that the police owe this couple something for doing their work for them. Money doesn't know where it came from or where it is going and you are probably the better for not knowing where it has been. I have more aversion to the ones and fives than I do to the hundreds.