Acquitted because the fact does not exist: this is the sentence that ends a procedure that lasted almost three years. This is what involved the very lucky Brazilian tiler Ricardo GT, accused of embezzlement after trying to recover the entire winnings of 2 million euros on the Scratch Card. A figure that, according to two of his colleagues and former friends, came from a joint investment and therefore had to be divided.
The case
Three years in prison, as well as a fair share of the winnings. This is what prosecutor Alberto Sergi requested at the beginning of June: the accusation concerned the embezzlement of the winning scratch money. Christian C. and Giovanni S., workers and close friends of Ricardo, claimed that the 43-year-old had promised them to share the potential winnings, only to return at the last minute and collect them himself. However, the events in which the Brazilian tiler is the protagonist began a few days earlier.
It is early February 2021 when Ricardo GT buys – as usual – scratch cards in Modena. One of them wins for a total of 800 thousand euros. This sum is collected without any problem by the worker at the bank of Mozambano, the small village in the Mantua region where he lives with his wife and daughter. About twenty days later, on February 22, Ricardo himself bought 5 coupons of 20 euros each at Garda. He wins again, this time the sum is much larger: 2 million euros, which would become 1.6 million excluding taxes. But this time, the collection at a bank in Peschiera del Garda has been blocked and Ricardo finds himself faced with a double problem. On the one hand, the Bank of Italy, surprised by the proximity of the double win, has alerted the financial police, fearing that the 43-year-old man is taking advantage of advice and suggestions. The investigations into this case only conclude that Ricardo is kissed by Lady Luck. But on the other hand, the argument begins with the two friends.
Ricardo's generosity
The two have maintained from the beginning that the purchase of the 5 tickets in Garda had taken place with a collection of the three. “We bought the super lucky coupon together, so the winnings must be shared.” According to the prosecution, the purchase should be considered “in partnership between three people”, and that the money should therefore be shared “in accordance with the agreements between the trio”. That is, 600 thousand for Ricardo and just over 500 thousand for the two. The most damning evidence on which prosecutor Alberto Sergi relies is that Ricardo himself had told a bank operator that he “also had the mandate to collect for two other people”. The testimony of an accountant, whom the three contacted to recognize “the communion on a scratch card coupon”, is also important.
Ricardo's version, however, is different: “I bought it and scratched it, the winnings are entirely mine, I really don't think about dividing them. From the happiness of that moment, I would have also given them a gift.” And this last sentence is probably Ricardo's last fortune. He admits several times that he intends to give 80 thousand euros to the two friends. A gift to which they were not entitled, but the result of simple generosity. The altruistic intention – which, according to the defense lawyers, demonstrates that Ricardo would never have defrauded anyone – is also supported by the facts. Part of the first win, 20,000 out of a total of 800,000 euros, had in fact been given as a gift to another friend. After three years, the acquittal, even if the sentence will be made public in three months. In the meantime, Ricardo GT will be able to enjoy his mega victory without having to share it with anyone. And, at this point, also avoid gifts to the two former friends.
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