Keep the cash? Or give it back?

[Carlota69]

Sorry, but I'd keep it...:evil:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110520/ap_on_fe_st/us_found_money

SALT LAKE CITY – When Josh Ferrin closed on his family's first home, he never thought he'd make the discovery of a lifetime — then give it back.

Ferrin picked up the keys earlier this week and decided to check out the house in the Salt Lake City suburb of Bountiful. He was excited to finally have a place his family could call their own.

As he walked into the garage, a piece of cloth that clung to an attic door caught his eye. He opened the hatch and climbed up the ladder, then pulled out a metal box that looked like a World War II ammunition case.

"I freaked out, locked it my car, and called my wife to tell her she wouldn't believe what I had found," said Ferrin, who works as an artist for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City.

Then he found seven more boxes, all stuffed full with tightly wound rolls of cash bundled together with twine — more than $40,000.

Ferrin quickly took the boxes to his parent's house to count. Along with his wife and children, they spread out thousands of bills on a table, separating the bundles one by one.

They stopped counting at $40,000, but estimated there was at least $5,000 more on the table.

Ferrin thought about how such a large sum of money could go a long way, pay bills, buy things he never thought he could afford.

"I'm not perfect, and I wish I could say there was never any doubt in my mind. We knew we had to give it back, but it doesn't mean I didn't think about our car in need of repairs, how we would love to adopt a child and aren't able to do that right now, or fix up our outdated house that we just bought," Ferrin said. "But the money wasn't ours to keep and I don't believe you get a chance very often to do something radically honest, to do something ridiculously awesome for someone else and that is a lesson I hope to teach to my children."

He thought about the home's previous owner, Arnold Bangerter, who died in November and left the house to his children.

"I could imagine him in his workshop. From time to time, he would carefully bundle up $100 with twine, climb up into his attic and put it into a box to save. And he didn't do that for me," Ferrin said of the man who had worked as a biologist for the Utah Department of Fish and Game.

Bangerter purchased the home in 1966 and lived there with his wife, who died in 2005.

After most of the money was counted, Ferrin called one of Bangerter's sons with the news.

Kay Bangerter said he knew his father hid away money because he once found a bundle of cash taped beneath a drawer in their home, but he never considered his dad had stuffed away so much over the years.

"He grew up in hard times and people that survived that era didn't have anything when they came out of it unless they saved it themselves," Kay Bangerter, the oldest of the six children, told the Deseret News. "He was a saver, not a spender."

Bangerter called the money's return "a story that will outlast our generation and probably yours as well."

"I'm a father, and I worry about the future for my kids," Ferrin said. "I can see him putting that money away for a rainy day and it would have been wrong of me to deny him that thing he worked on for years. I felt like I got to write a chapter in his life, a chapter he wasn't able to finish and see it through to its conclusion."

[Reerun_KC]

I would of gave it back...

[Fat Elvis]

Give it back.

[4th and Long]

Gas is almost $4.00 a gallon!!! Keep it!!!



Ok, ... OK, ... I'd give it back. :)

[RockChalk]

Nice story. All too rare this day and age.

As for me, I would've given it back.

[Sofa King]

Hookers.

[Donger]

Boy, that's a tough one. I once chased down a guy who a left a two hundred bucks in the ATM right before me, because I knew that the money was his.

If I were the son, I'd give the new owner a nice reward.

[The Franchise]

Can I just give back the $40,000 and keep what was left on the table?

[Rain Man]

That's true character. No one would have known if he had kept it.

[Deberg_1990]

I wont lie, i would have been awfully tempted to keep it.

[Hydrae]

Nice story but I am not sure that I would have given it back. At that point, you have bought the house and anything in it, good or bad.

[Johnny Vegas]

he probably sold the story for $40k

[Los Pollos Hermanos]

The guy's name is "Kay"? He should get the money for that reason alone. Poor guy.

[Dayze]

I'd say "HOney, you're never going to believe it; I just found $5k "

[ReynardMuldrake]

Somebody losing their wallet is one thing, when you buy a house you buy everything in it. I would be inclined to say, keep it.

[RNR]

I'd say "HOney, you're never going to believe it; I just found $5k "
LMAO

[Los Pollos Hermanos]

Somebody losing their wallet is one thing, when you buy a house you buy everything in it. I would be inclined to say, keep it.

That kind of money is going to throw you into a higher tax bracket for sure.

[ReynardMuldrake]

Reporting that kind of money is going to throw you into a higher tax bracket for sure.

FYP

[Rooster]

That kind of money is going to throw you into a higher tax bracket for sure.

It's all cash. Uncle Sam doesn't need to know. ;)

[Brock]

I wouldn't tell the wife about it either way.

[Bowser]

I'd like to think I'm of higher morals, but honestly, I probably would have kept it. Tough one, for sure.

[Donger]

I wouldn't tell the wife about it either way.

LMAO

[ReynardMuldrake]

It's all cash. Uncle Sam doesn't need to know. ;)

Blame it on the appraiser that valued your home $40K too low.

[Simplex3]

Nice story but I am not sure that I would have given it back. At that point, you have bought the house and anything in it, good or bad.

Somebody losing their wallet is one thing, when you buy a house you buy everything in it. I would be inclined to say, keep it.

This is where I'm leaning as well. If you had found $40k in foundation problems the former owner's kids wouldn't have written you a check.

[Bowser]

I wouldn't tell the wife about it either way.

Heh.

[Dave Lane]

Somebody losing their wallet is one thing, when you buy a house you buy everything in it. I would be inclined to say, keep it.

Yep that is the law actually. Anything left behind is your property by law.

[Coogs]

I think we all know what way the Lotto Winner/Food Stamps dude would go on this one.

In all seriousness, the kids that the money belonged to should probably give 5-10 K to the guy for being honest.

[Garcia Bronco]

I would have given it back.

[Bump]

who forgets about $40K in cash? There must be more to this story, chances are it's dirty money so I would probably give it back thinking they might come for revenge on me and my family if I spent it.

[rageeumr]

50/50 shot with me. I would have some serious guilt about keeping it...but $40k buys a lot of alcohol to help suppress that guilt. It's not like you're stealing, it's legally yours.

[-King-]

" He thought about the home's previous owner, Arnold Bangerter, who died in November "



I'd probably keep it because of that lol.

[-King-]

who forgets about $40K in cash? There must be more to this story, chances are it's dirty money so I would probably give it back thinking they might come for revenge on me and my family if I spent it.

Or maybe the father was from the depression era where they kept all the money in the house.

[BigMeatballDave]

Keep it. No question.

[Bob Dole]

His remaining family cared so much about their deceased father that they failed to find it after his death. Bob Dole is keeping that shit.

[ModSocks]

Somebody losing their wallet is one thing, when you buy a house you buy everything in it. I would be inclined to say, keep it.

This.

[RNR]

His remaining family cared so much about their deceased father that they failed to find it after his death. Bob Dole is keeping that shit.

I was thinking the same thing. The daughter stated he hid money yet it never occurred to her to look in the attic :eek: Also I would be searching the house from top to bottom and renting a metal detector for the yard~

[Hays]

Keep half, finders fee

[Radar Chief]

So this guy hits the Power Ball jackpot and out of excitement calls his wife saying, “Honey, you won’t believe it. I just won the lottery. $100 million bucks, start packing.” The wife also getting excited asks, “Well, what should I bring, winter or summer clothes?” The guy replies, “I don’t care, just be gone by the time I get home.”

[Dave Lane]

His remaining family cared so much about their deceased father that they failed to find it after his death. Bob Dole is keeping that shit.

I'm with the senator...

[MOhillbilly]

keep it.

[Chief Roundup]

That is a tough decision. Can it be proven that it was the previous home owners money?

I might come more to splitting it with the previous owner if he weren't dead. You don't know the feelings he had for his kids or vice versa.
Thinking I would fix what needs fixing on the house and vehicles and save the rest without the government knowing that I have it for a rainy day.

[ClevelandBronco]

I hope the sum returns to them many times over. But even if that doesn't happen, I think they've improved their lives forever by returning the cash.

[SuperChief]

...it's 40 THOUSAND dollars.

You know how many porn subscriptions that would buy?

[kepp]

I'd say "HOney, you're never going to believe it; I just found $5k "

LOL - that was my first thought.

[ct]

A good man, we need many more of em!!

[milkman]

I'll say this.

If I found it and gave it back, I would not let the story out myself, and I would suggest to the people I returned the money to to do the same.

The government is now going to want their share.

[ChiTown]

I'll say this.

If I found it and gave it back, I would not let the story out myself, and I would suggest to the people I returned the money to to do the same.

The government is now going to want their share.

This!

Seriously, wtf would you make this public? The only people that stand to benefit from talking about this in public is the U.S.G.

DUMB, Dumb, dumb.

[Carlota69]

I posted this same article and question on my facebook which is centered in Vegas. And then here, which is centered in the midwest and Im finding the different answers from different regions quite interesting

Vegas: Def keep that shit!! No way Id give it back.
Middle of the country: whata good guy. We need more of his type. I would of given it back...

Hey, Vegas is built on money "not ecessarily earned". it didnt surprise me at all. but I found it entertaining nonetheless.

[mikey23545]

That's true character. No one would have known if he had kept it.

Indeed.

Character is what you do when none is watching.

[DaFace]

Keep half, finders fee

I'd be awfully tempted to do something along this line. Maybe not half, but at least keep a small portion.

In the end, I'd probably feel bad, though. So I'd probably give it all back with the hope that the recipient might feel thankful enough to let me keep some of it. :D

[kc rush]

Somebody losing their wallet is one thing, when you buy a house you buy everything in it. I would be inclined to say, keep it.

This is probably where I'd stand too, unless I personally knew the previous owner or knew their family was hurting financially.

A wallet, no question I'd return it.

[cabletech94]

you'd be surprised at how some of the older generation stash their cash.

my question is: how much money did the home inspector make off with?

[ChiefsCountry]

Insert South Park Mormon joke somewhere in this thread.

[beach tribe]

Damn, what a good guy to give it back......better than me.

[-King-]

Indeed.

Character is what you do when none is watching.

...and then telling the story to the press.

[Rain Man]

I'll say this.

If I found it and gave it back, I would not let the story out myself, and I would suggest to the people I returned the money to to do the same.

The government is now going to want their share.


Are you assuming this is an inheritance tax kind of deal? I guess maybe it could be a gift tax, but if the father's dead I'm not sure that applies. Or would it count as "found money", and does found money count as income? I doubt the IRS would let "found money" fly if it's your parents' money anyway.

Interesting question, though.

[listopencil]

I'd have to give it back. Couldn't stand myself if I didn't.

[Frazod]

I'd say "HOney, you're never going to believe it; I just found $5k "

This!

[rageeumr]

Are you assuming this is an inheritance tax kind of deal? I guess maybe it could be a gift tax, but if the father's dead I'm not sure that applies. Or would it count as "found money", and does found money count as income? I doubt the IRS would let "found money" fly if it's your parents' money anyway.

Interesting question, though.

Does "found money" really work? I need to have my boss start hiding my salary in my desk.

[Rain Man]

Does "found money" really work? I need to have my boss start hiding my salary in my desk.

I don't know. I suspect, as milkman said, that it works if no one knows about it, but not if it's in the newspaper. But it would take a hard-hearted IRS agent to see it in the newspaper and go hunt down your return the next year. It's not like someone's sending you a 1099.

[Donger]

a hard-hearted IRS agent

Is there some other kind?

[-King-]

Is there some other kind?

ROFL Was about to post the same thing.

[Carlota69]

Is there some other kind?

My fathers' tax guy use to be an IRS agent...He told us a story about auditing an old lady just so he could take her house (Agents get first dibs on property taken--at least it use to be that way). The family even came up with the $$$ to save her house, but the agent was hellbent on getting her house. This is why he quit the IRS and became a tax guy. He knew how to fuck the IRS the right way. Unfortunately he died a few years back. So I dont even know if IRS agents have that much power anymore, but they are snakes no matter what.

[Saulbadguy]

Kept. House sold as is.

[CrazyPhuD]

So we know who's going to be left after the rapture tomorrow by reading this thread!

[vailpass]

There is a guy who sleeps well at night.

[Rooster]

I posted this same article and question on my facebook which is centered in Vegas. And then here, which is centered in the midwest and Im finding the different answers from different regions quite interesting

Vegas: Def keep that shit!! No way Id give it back.
Middle of the country: whata good guy. We need more of his type. I would of given it back...

Hey, Vegas is built on money "not ecessarily earned". it didnt surprise me at all. but I found it entertaining nonetheless.

So this has been just one big sociological experiment. I feel so dirty and used by Carlota right now. :deevee:

[LiveSteam]

Bangerter should divide the cash up equally with the Ferrin family.

[Brock]

"I'm a father, and I worry about the future for my kids," Ferrin said. "I can see him putting that money away for a rainy day and it would have been wrong of me to deny him that thing he worked on for years. I felt like I got to write a chapter in his life, a chapter he wasn't able to finish and see it through to its conclusion."

I guess this is how I would look at it too.

[Bob Dole]

Are you assuming this is an inheritance tax kind of deal? I guess maybe it could be a gift tax, but if the father's dead I'm not sure that applies. Or would it count as "found money", and does found money count as income? I doubt the IRS would let "found money" fly if it's your parents' money anyway.

Interesting question, though.

They're probably going to tax both the guy who found it (one way or another) and then tax the recipients for receiving a cash gift in excess of $13k (or whatever the 2011 limit is).

[Bwana]

Give it back. There is now way I would ever get a good night of sleep again, if I kept it.

[LiveSteam]

Give it back. There is now way I would ever get a good night of sleep again, if I kept it.

Same hear.
But on the flip side. I couldn't take all that money. & not give some of it to the family that found it.
Its that dam karma thing.

[Bill Brasky]

I would keep it. Karma be damned.

[Ebolapox]

yeah, I'd have kept it. no shame in my game, it's not like they really went out of their way to find pops' cash.

[Omaha]

Are you assuming this is an inheritance tax kind of deal? I guess maybe it could be a gift tax, but if the father's dead I'm not sure that applies. Or would it count as "found money", and does found money count as income? I doubt the IRS would let "found money" fly if it's your parents' money anyway.

Interesting question, though.

It would depend on the value of the father's estate. In this case, probably no tax consequences.

[bevischief]

Somebody losing their wallet is one thing, when you buy a house you buy everything in it. I would be inclined to say, keep it.

I agree they bought the house and their bad for not properly checking out the house before handing over the keys.

[Monty]

Unnoticed in a corner of the attic was a note that said:

Whoever finds this money shall not give it to my worthless family, but use it instead to remodel the man cave or buy a sports car.

Enjoy!!

Sincerely,

Arnold Bangerter

[frankotank]

he REALLY found 80 thousand......

[kcxiv]

Nice story but I am not sure that I would have given it back. At that point, you have bought the house and anything in it, good or bad.

this got me to thinking. my sister just bought her first house today as a matter of fact, but last week, they told her, the previous owners of the house left a few things there and whatever is there, they can keep, or throw out.


Shit is yours and everything in it. I dont know if i would have gave it back either. I would have thought about it though.

[Otter]

If it's obvious who the money belongs too heck yeah give it back. If it was in a shoe box I found while hiking through the woods and no one reported it missing I'd probably keep it however.

More importantly, if you have $40k up in the closet tell someone you trust in case you know, die or go into a coma.

[DaFace]

he REALLY found 80 thousand......

I actually kind of wondered this. It's entirely possible.

[CrazyPhuD]

They're probably going to tax both the guy who found it (one way or another) and then tax the recipients for receiving a cash gift in excess of $13k (or whatever the 2011 limit is).

You would think that's how it should work, that the person getting the gift would be taxed, but that's not how it actually works. The person giving the gift is the ones that owes tax! Why? Well odds are good the person giving is the richer person so they're in a higher tax bracket! LMAO

[Omaha]

They're probably going to tax both the guy who found it (one way or another) and then tax the recipients for receiving a cash gift in excess of $13k (or whatever the 2011 limit is).

Gift tax won't come into play here.

[Arsonist]

Somebody losing their wallet is one thing, when you buy a house you buy everything in it. I would be inclined to say, keep it.

i agree the kids had time to go through the house, it doesn't sound like it was hidden in a hole under the couch with carpet over it.

If i find this much cash the first place im going is to the store to buy a gun and a safe and keep that shit safe

[Valiant]

If I did not know the person or knew 100% it was his dads I would have kept it..

But the guy had his phone number and pretty well knew it was their dads money.. So I probably would have gave it back also.. Or at least said I found 40k and kept 5..

[Mojo Rising]

My guess is that it would be added toward the $5 million death/inheritance tax exemption.

[Silock]

I'd keep it. If someone sells you a house with problems, those problems are yours to deal with. Why is it any different just because it's money?

[Extra Point]

Bangerter should divide the cash up equally with the Ferrin family.

This.

[Phobia]

If I bought a car with $50k hidden in the seat, seems like it's mine.

That said, I really don't know what I'd do until I was in the situation. I like to think I'm an okay guy with solid scruples. I'd probably seek legal advice on the matter firstly and then make a decision from there.

[Rain Man]

I'd keep it. If someone sells you a house with problems, those problems are yours to deal with. Why is it any different just because it's money?

This is definitely a valid point. At first it seemed like a no-brainer that you should give back the money, but the arguments for the other side also have validity. A point made earlier about not knowing the previous owner's relationship with his children also makes sense.

I think the golden rule is that if I was the child of the guy who died, I sold the house not knowing about something valuable that was in it, and which isn't part of the house. Odds are, it was something the father would have given to me. I'd be very grateful if the new owner told me about it and gave it to me, and it wouldn't really occur to me to say "No, it was in the house, so it's yours." Based on that logic, I'd return it to the family.

And if I was the family member who got the money, I'd give the guy 25 percent as a reward for his honesty.

Now, having said that, if I moved in and discovered that the basement flooded or some outlets were shorted out or something or there was other stuff that I wasn't informed about, it might be tempting given the recent discussions to say, "I'm going to break even first." And if I discovered problems that I thought were intentionally covered up, well, then that might be a different story. That might be where karma comes into play.

[Silock]

This is definitely a valid point. At first it seemed like a no-brainer that you should give back the money, but the arguments for the other side also have validity. A point made earlier about not knowing the previous owner's relationship with his children also makes sense.

I think the golden rule is that if I was the child of the guy who died, I sold the house not knowing about something valuable that was in it, and which isn't part of the house. Odds are, it was something the father would have given to me. I'd be very grateful if the new owner told me about it and gave it to me, and it wouldn't really occur to me to say "No, it was in the house, so it's yours." Based on that logic, I'd return it to the family.

And if I was the family member who got the money, I'd give the guy 25 percent as a reward for his honesty.

Now, having said that, if I moved in and discovered that the basement flooded or some outlets were shorted out or something or there was other stuff that I wasn't informed about, it might be tempting given the recent discussions to say, "I'm going to break even first." And if I discovered problems that I thought were intentionally covered up, well, then that might be a different story. That might be where karma comes into play.

Ignorance isn't an excuse. If they didn't care enough about the house to go through it before selling it, anything contained within is mine, fair and square.

[GoHuge]

I would have given a lot of it back, but if it's not anything that anyone knows about why not return $30,000? You pocket $10K and still look like a saint!!! :)

[kcfan82]

Since I just bought my house in September, that reminds me I need to finally look in my attic.

Of course if there was any money up there, I'd assume my inspector made off with it.

On that note, this guy must not have gotten one.

[bevischief]

It is untraceable keep it.

[Phobia]

Interesting quandary, for sure. I liked how many people said, "Oh, yeah I'd give it back" without a second thought. Put $45k on the table in front of them and see what their answer changes to.

[milkman]

Interesting quandary, for sure. I liked how many people said, "Oh, yeah I'd give it back" without a second thought. Put $45k on the table in front of them and see what their answer changes to.

That's why I didn't really answer the question.

I can not honestly say what I would do in that situation.

[seclark]

That's why I didn't really answer the question.

I can not honestly say what I would do in that situation.

not before buying a couple cases of beer anyway.
sec

[crazycoffey]

how do we know he didn't REALLY find 100k?
just saying...

[rtmike]

Nice story but I am not sure that I would have given it back. At that point, you have bought the house and anything in it, good or bad.

Maybe the old guy was slowly saving up the cash to fix all the termite damage nobody knew about? :hmmm:

[Phobia]

I've just determined how I solve the problem.

I contact the deceased's heirs. I tell them there's a bunch of garbage they failed to clean out of the attic. If they come, they get the money. If they tell me to pound sand then they get to pound sand themselves.

[crazycoffey]

I've just determined how I solve the problem.

I contact the deceased's heirs. I tell them there's a bunch of garbage they failed to clean out of the attic. If they come, they get the money. If they tell me to pound sand then they get to pound sand themselves.

:clap:

you got to be the smartest jarhead I've ever met...

[Rain Man]

I've just determined how I solve the problem.

I contact the deceased's heirs. I tell them there's a bunch of garbage they failed to clean out of the attic. If they come, they get the money. If they tell me to pound sand then they get to pound sand themselves.

that is pure genius without the o.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Raiderhater58]

I'd have kept at least half of it, which is one of many reasons why I wont be leaving with Jesus in a few hours

[Fritz88]

I once was given 3500 by mistake and returned it. I could have gotten away with it easily but I didnt.
I would have given them their money back for sure.
Posted via Mobile Device

[KCUnited]

Since I just bought my house in September, that reminds me I need to finally look in my attic.

Of course if there was any money up there, I'd assume my inspector made off with it.

On that note, this guy must not have gotten one.

We specifically wrote in our contract that the seller had to remove all items from the attic based on our inspectors report.

[Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan]

OK, once the rapture's over and people don't have to pretend any more about how nice they are, will we start getting honest answers here? *grin*

[frankotank]

Interesting quandary, for sure. I liked how many people said, "Oh, yeah I'd give it back" without a second thought. Put $45k on the table in front of them and see what their answer changes to.

yeah, absolutely, this.
if I found 80 and gave back 40, I'd still know that at the heart of the matter, I was dishonest. and ripping off this guys KIDS for crying out loud. but 45K is a shit ton of money to a guy like me. I HOPE I'd give it back. in these specific circumstances I THINK I would...but wow.....
ever see dudes on TV that found a bag of money that fell of a brinks truck and gave it back? if I'm being totally honest, I'm thinking I'm NOT giving that back....

[Rain Man]

OK, once the rapture's over and people don't have to pretend any more about how nice they are, will we start getting honest answers here? *grin*

I would hunt his kids down and kill them one by one so he would have no living relatives to make a claim.

[Msmith]

He counted the money in front of his family and his relatives. If he kept the money, everyone in the know would demand a piece of pie. In the long run, the infighting and the influence upon his children would cost more than it is worth.

On giving back the money, he taught his children about integrity and honor.

[InChiefsHeaven]

I'd like to think I'd give it back, and I believe in the end I would, but I'm sure my wheels would be turning about trying to find a way to justify keeping it. And, I'd give it back without expecting a reward...but I'd sure hope for one and I'd definitely take it if it were offered.

...and oh yeah, if this were 20 years ago, I hate to say it but I'd have kept it without a second thought...had less integrity then...

[tooge]

This is where I'm leaning as well. If you had found $40k in foundation problems the former owner's kids wouldn't have written you a check.

this exactly. you buy the house, you get what comes with the house, good or bad. I keep the money unless I've bought the house from a friend or something like that.

[tooge]

I posted this same article and question on my facebook which is centered in Vegas. And then here, which is centered in the midwest and Im finding the different answers from different regions quite interesting

Vegas: Def keep that shit!! No way Id give it back.
Middle of the country: whata good guy. We need more of his type. I would of given it back...

Hey, Vegas is built on money "not ecessarily earned". it didnt surprise me at all. but I found it entertaining nonetheless.

so middle of the country are more full of shit then?

[Carlota69]

so middle of the country are more full of shit then?

:LOL:

I dont know about that, but certainly not from the part of the country built on "unearned" money...

Im with the camp that wonders why the kids didnt know about it in the first place. Why didnt they go thru the house throughly, especially since they knew their dad stashed cash. I like Phobias idea: tell the family they left behind a ton of trash and if they come and get it, they get the money--if not, EAT it!:thumb:

[HemiEd]

His remaining family cared so much about their deceased father that they failed to find it after his death. Bob Dole is keeping that shit.

Same here

[InChiefsHeaven]

:LOL:

I dont know about that, but certainly not from the part of the country built on "unearned" money...

Im with the camp that wonders why the kids didnt know about it in the first place. Why didnt they go thru the house throughly, especially since they knew their dad stashed cash. I like Phobias idea: tell the family they left behind a ton of trash and if they come and get it, they get the money--if not, EAT it!:thumb:

THen there's this...what if he finds more money, this time in the attic or buried in mason jars in the back yard...

...and how about this...if you are the guy who used to own the house, do you tell him hey, go ahead and keep it, it's yours fair and square?

[Valiant]

yeah, absolutely, this.
if I found 80 and gave back 40, I'd still know that at the heart of the matter, I was dishonest. and ripping off this guys KIDS for crying out loud. but 45K is a shit ton of money to a guy like me. I HOPE I'd give it back. in these specific circumstances I THINK I would...but wow.....
ever see dudes on TV that found a bag of money that fell of a brinks truck and gave it back? if I'm being totally honest, I'm thinking I'm NOT giving that back....

Yeah, brinks would not get their money back. Same with drunks in softball. I have 3 extra gloves now. They never reported the gloves either, probably to drunk to remember.

Fyi, they were punks