Custodian Returns Bag With $108,000

Southern Utah University Employee Finds Bag Of Cash, Doesn't Hesitate To Turn It In To Police

(CBS/AP)  Jared Gray could've taken the money and run.

But when the 18-year-old custodian at Southern Utah University found more than $100,000 in cash in the school's parking lot last month, he didn't hesitate. He turned it in to campus police.

"I showed up about 5:45 p.m. and as I was walking in, I found a bag laying in the parking lot," Gray told The Early Show. "When I picked it up, I realized it was one of the deposit bags and it had $108,000 written on it."

Gray said his dad, a police officer, raised him to do the right thing.

School officials said the bag was accidentally dropped as it was being transferred from the school to the bank.

The Early Show did a little math to help Gray, who makes $7 an hour, figure out how long it would take him to earn $108,000. It comes roughly to 15,428 hours of work - that would be 7 1/2 years. Does Jared have any second thoughts?

"No," he says. "Of course not. My parents raised me to do the right thing always."

The college said if Gray wants to attend the school, they will foot part of the bill to show its thanks.

"And I got $20 and a batch of M. & M. Cookies," Gray added.

[lewiston14]

This is a great story I loved the M&M cookie ending

[beehive21-2009]

Smart Kid.

[jeannec3]

Now that''s a kid every parent would LOVE to have !! May all your wishes in life come true Jared

[boston1954]

I hope he jumps at the college education. That could net him a higher paying job, which is as good or better than a reward.

[ladyephesus1]

Jared, you will be rewarded in life for your honesty and kindness.

Great story. ;)

[janders78]

this boy is a great kid! i know Jared personally and he is always nice and responsible. i wish there were more people like him!!! turning in that money is a big decision and his parents raising him to do the right things in life! think about all the stuff he could''ve done and chose the right thing...

[mylo1000]

The college only offered a part free ride in school for the kid. They give ballplayers full rides and have them take off on the college in one year to go pro. This college should step up and show America what it''s like to be honest.

[excoachken]

Now, here is a real role model!

This guy has learned a life ethic that some people will never understand. This is what GOOD PARENTS can do for their children!!!!

[ontheleft]

He got a $20 reward? Who gave the reward, was this cheap Brinks who lost money again?

[waterandsand]

dude if you find my wallet with 10 bucks in it ill reward you with more than 20 dollars. Thank god they threw the m&m''s in there or else theyd be cheap

[quetzalcrist]

id have taken it....
i have no shame whatsoever,

[nothappyatall]

Good grief what an idiot!
If he finds $50 in a wallet, return it, $108,000 CASH in a bank bag, skrew ''ew! Id keep it, anyone stupid enough to put $108,000 CASH in a bag and then carelessly and amazingly LOSE it in a parking lot didn''t need the money- their carelessness proves it.


""And I got $20 and a batch of M. & M. Cookies," Gray added"

WOW, I''d say the owners of that cash got a great deal, $20 and M&M''s is a total INSULT.
He should have gotten at least 10%

[jetlizhan]

bless his heart - the world needs more honest people like this!

[fibonacci_]

Why cant I find a bag like that...

I wish that I had the courage, and fortitude this boy has. We should all be proud that there are young men and women who know what honesty means.

[jules19111]

The school should be ashamed of itself!

[acolton1]

The college said if Gray wants to attend the school, they will foot part of the bill to show its thanks.

That is FANTASTIC the college will foot part of the bills ? How much is PART ?

Thats better then the guy a few month ago who found 120,000 dollars in unmarked non-sequential bills a few months ago and they only gave him 2,000 reward that bites the big one. He should have gotten a 10% or more. It would be hard to turn in that money but it would be the right thing to do. I dont know If I could or would turn the cash in, I would think about it long and hard and would love to go shopping.

[acolton1]

I change my mind I would have taken the cash and paid some bills and went shopping and got food and paid my car off and went on vacation to Jamacia for 2 or 3 weeks.

[acolton1]

The school needs to reward this kid for doing the right thing and give him 4 years free college and pay for his books. Make the kid who found the money have to pay for housing / food / beer and fun money but books and 4 years free.

[pat1967-2009]

Here is the text of an email I just sent to the University president ([e-mail]):

Dear Sir,

I just read an article on cbsnews.com about the young man who returned over $100K to the university after your staff dropped in in the parking lot. I was surprised to read that your organization only offered to pay part of the bill for him to attend school there. I should think that to encourage this type of behavior in our young people your school would have offered him a free ride for the degree program of his choice. If your school, like the one I attended, gives its employees free tuition for classes, surely the benefit of Mr. Gray''s positive action is at least equal to the actions of many of your administrative staff. Please consider giving Mr. Gray a complete scholarship. I look forward to your response.

Patrick M. Molvik, P.E.

[mythoughtsr]

The chances of my returning that bag are very, very slim. Think of the oil stock you could buy.

[talkingham]

Hmmm, they "accidently" dropped a bag with $100K. Oh really, I thought they dropped it on purpose.

Just how many $100K bags a week does this place generate? In fact, how or why would they ever have $100K in cash laying around. Doesn''t make sense.

This kid Gray, definitely needs an education for turning that money in. Guess he''s getting one now about how institutions could care less about good deeds.

[nolalou]

I read about this on another news site, and the university is offering him free tuition, but that normally doesn''t cover things like student activity fees, housing, etc. I work at a university, and that''s the same deal children of employee''s generally get, free tuition, but they still have to pay the other costs.

[jochitragman]

$20 reward?? M&Ms?? Good guys always finish last.

[raskal_2]

You idiot, don''t you realize there is a financial crises in this country. When the Mormons tried to settle at ghost rock in Utah the Indians told them that the land kills your women. They tried to stay anyway. They haven''t gotten any more in tune with the world I see.

[sherry411-2009]

I was home from work sick today and saw this story. This young mans honesty is to be applauded. The college should give him a full paid scholarship! The $20 and M&Ms are a complete insult. Good job Jared!

[mitywhity]

For all you that would have kept the money and are criticizing the kid; it makes sense that would be critical, why else would you be compulsive bloggers unless you weren''t total losers.

[raskal_2]

What ever happened to the concept of a finders fee. Even the U.S. government will pay 5% for lost negotiable paper or metal. 5% of 108,000.00 is 5400.00.
Was there a rise in chocolate prices I wasn''t aware of.

[sherry411-2009]

I think all of us who believe he did the right thing should send him a check for $20!!! There needs to be more people like Jared in this country. Post his address!!!!

[pat1967-2009]

dragonwagon5,

I can appreciate the irony of receiving a canned letter from the university. Time will tell.

Pat

[jboxton]

What an idiot. When they offered me 20 and the cookies I would tell them to shove them up their dupas.

[minnick8-2009]

It wouldn''t have been $100,000 in cash; I''m sure it would have been mostly checks. In this small town, he wouldn''t have been able to deposit them to himself in any bank. He was raised to be honest; more people should be honest. The world would be a better place.

[minnick8-2009]

Sherry,

If you really want to send him $20, send it to him care of Jared, Honest Custodian, Southern Utah University, 351 W University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720.

[minnick8-2009]

Losers like him get airplay instead of winners
Posted by gwno1

Gwn01
Are you jealous? Is there something you have done lately for which you would like ten minutes of fame? Pray tell, please do share!

[cashforsure]

I know for a fact that MAJORITY of the deposit was cash...very little checks or cc..

[j-blrd]

Gwno1 you think the problem with our country is honest hard working citizens with a conscience? You can call him a clown or a loser all you want, maybe he values something more than the almighty dollar. Your only values seem to be hate and greed. I assume you think you''re what''s right with this country. You may represent the mindless, hateful, greedy, and inconsiderate portion of the U.S., but you''re not helping the country out any.

[cashforsure]

It was over a hundred thousand in cash... there were only a couple of thousand in checks...

[cdfoxtrot]

His "reward" is an insult. A bit like that cabbie in New York who was given, what, $100 for returning a $4m violin. It''s crappy rewards like this that will encourage others to say screw it and keep whatever they find.

[jumkey]

I love these "just so" stories that keep the little people in line. Praise the lowly custodian, hard at word honest to a fault.

Would other more fortunate members of society act in a similar way?

If your insurance company could save $108k by denying your child lifesaving medical care, would they?

If your your employer could pocket $108k instead of employing you and thus put you out on the street, would he?

If you government could tax your class $108k and pass it on in cuts or subsidies to the wealthy, would it?

We all know the answer to these questions. People and organizations act this way every single day in this country and it rates not a passing comment on CBS News.

There is a reason for this story making the news and it has nothing whatsoever to do with honesty or integrity.

[omega39-2009]

He should have ask himself what would Enron do?

[minnick8-2009]

There is a reason for this story making the news and it has nothing whatsoever to do with honesty or integrity.
Jumkey

Really? Enlighten us please, what is the reason?

[minnick8-2009]

There is one thing for sure he not a republican.
Posted by aheadace

He comes from a state the is at lease 80 per cent Republican. I bet he is a Republican.

[minnick8-2009]

It was over a hundred thousand in cash... there were only a couple of thousand in checks...

Most students pay the Cashier by check. There wouldn''t have been much of it in cash.

[minnick8-2009]

I know for a fact that MAJORITY of the deposit was cash...very little checks or cc..
Posted by cashforsure

How do you know? Do you work in the Cashier''s Office at SUU?

[minnick8-2009]

jealous of what making 7.00 an hour . . .?
Posted by gwno1

No, jealous of his ten minutes of fame and you didn''t get yours yet.

[bohemianmob]

I thought that white people wouldn''t do custodian jobs?

[crazy_delco]

gwno1*** You being the winner would have gotten 15 minutes when they discovered it was you who found the bag and your filing your appeals get your sorry butt out of a criminal conviction...

[jumkey]

He comes from a state the is at lease 80 per cent Republican. I bet he is a Republican.

Posted by minnick8

His honesty indicates otherwise.

[bohemianmob]

His honesty indicates otherwise.


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Posted by jumkey

All politicians are liars, it''s a job requirement