Man Robs Bank for Healthcare- James Verone paints a grim picture
For those who would tell us that the economy is bouncing back and that unemployment is getting better, reality can be shocking. James Verone of Gastonia, North Carolina is one example of economic woes in the real world of a soft depressionary economy.
For James Verone, after losing his job as a Coca-Cola delivery driver for 17 years, having several medical conditions that require professional attention, and not having any kind of medical care coverage, the only thing left to him was committing a crime and entering into the medical system provided criminals…at no charge to the criminal.
On June 9, 2011, James Verone entered a local Gaston bank and handed the teller a note that read, “This is a bank robbery, please give me one dollar.” He then told the clerk, “I’ll be sitting right over there in the chair waiting for the police.” When police arrived, that is exactly where he was.
At last report, Mr. Verone was still in the Gaston county jail facing charges of minor theft. Local prosecutors are unwilling to charge him with bank robbery for the amount of $1. Mr. Verone has seemingly attained his goal, he has been seen by nurses and an appointment with the doctor has been made. He suffers with a slipped or herniated disc in his back, arthritis in his joints, a swollen foot, and an unknown type of growth on his chest.
Mr. Veone had sent a letter to the local paper, the Gaston Gazzette stating, “When you receive this a bank robbery will have been committed by me for one dollar. I am of sound mind but not so much sound body.” He then invited reporters to visit him in jail and interview him over the entire incident.
While it is unlikely that he will be the next subject of a made for TV movie, Mr. Verone has made a very large statement as to the reality of the economic situation in the United States as it concerns the average hardworking but unemployed American.
