Man Robs Bank For $1 In Attempts To Receive Medical Care. I Say Bravo.

James Richard Verone is a 59 year old man living in Gastonia N.C. Verone was once a Coca Cola delivery man but he was laid off. He later worked as a truck drive but things didn't work out for him. Up until recently Verone was working at a convenience store.

Per the Gaston Gazette, Verone had difficulty mantaining the job as he was experiencing arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, a limp leg and a protrusion on his chest. Verone also struggled with lifting due to back problems.

Verone had applied for Social Security benefits but was only eligible for food stamps.

Verone had had enough and hatched up a plan. On June 9, he mailed a letter to the Gaston Gazette which stated, "When you receive this a bank robbery will have been committed by me," Verone wrote in the letter. "This robbery is being committed by me for one dollar. I am of sound mind but not so much sound body." Vernone listed his return address as Gaston County Jail.

Verone headed out to the RBC Bank and handed the bank teller a letter stating that he was robbing the bank for $1. Verone said, "I told the teller that I would sit over here and wait for police."

Verone was charged with larceny and was sentenced to jail as planned. Verone is beginning to receive medical care. He said he's hoping to receive back and foot surgery, and get the protrusion on his chest treated. Then he plans to spend a few years in jail, receive Social Security and then move to the beach. Not bad ay?

Verone will represent himself in court and plans to threaten to repeat his crime if the sentence he receives is not severe enough.

Verone reported that if the United States had an adequate health care system he would not have had to take such measures.

I applaud James Richard Verone. He worked the system. I think most of us agree that healthcare is in crisis. Verone was obviously desparate and needed to find a solution. Can we all agree that it is tragic that those in jail often receive better treatment than those on the outside? I am not suggesting that inmates should not receive adequate treatment. I just think policy makers should share the wealth.