Lottery Winner Faces Big Fines After Rowdy Celebration
BOSTON (CBS) – A man who won $500 from a scratch lottery ticket will now likely need that money to pay for his costly celebration.
Thirty-one-year-old Joseph Taglieri first drew the attention of police on patrol Thursday when he was seen screaming "YEEESSSSS!!!!!" on Prince Street after realizing his lottery ticket was a winner.
One of the officers called out from their cruiser and asked Taglieri how much he had won.
Taglieri didn't hear the officers and started to celebrate by jumping on the hood of a 1994 Toyota Camry that was parked nearby and didn't belong to him, according to Suffolk County District Attorney spokesman Jake Wark.
He dented the roof of the car.
Then, as police went to take Taglieri into custody, he allegedly told officers, "I have weed on me."
Wark said they found a sandwich bag full of marijuana in his pocket.
Taglieri was arrested and charged with destruction of property and possession of more than an ounce of a Class D substance.
He was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court Friday and released on a promise to return to court September 21.
So how much will the celebration cost Taglieri, who was allowed to keep his lottery ticket, but not the marijuana?
Probably more than $500.
Wark said the destruction of property carries potential jail time, but the fines begin at three times the value of the damage. That value will be determined by the court after a hearing.
