Voting Station

Jerry Mika

Please vote to return to collections.

Oddity

The Resume

    Born in United States
    Resided in Draper, Utah
    Received a $2,245,342 check from the Utah Department of Commerce (November 2007)
    Received media attention after refusing to cash the check and later returning it (November 2007)

Why he might be annoying:

    He expected a $15 refund from the Department of Commerce, but instead received a check for $2,245,342 due to a state employee entering a serial number in the check's amount section instead of the amount owed to Mika.
    When he read the amount, he first thought that the check was legitimate and that he was somehow entitled to the money.
    When he went to government offices for advice regarding the check, two sheriffs and a treasury employee thought Mika's check was legitimate.
    He tried to think of ways that he could legally cash the check, and he also considered depositing it into his account to earn interest before returning it.
    A Department of Commerce official stated that Mika probably could have easily deposited his check due to it being state-issued, despite the large amount.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He decided to not cash his check, fearing possible legal consequences.
    A Department of Commerce official stated that a new computer system may have overlooked the check amount error, and that the system would be upgraded to help prevent future incidents like Mika's.
    Media attention he received for honesty in returning his erroneous check included interviews by CNN and Ellen DeGeneres.
    Rewards for his honesty included cash gifts, a paid vacation from Ellen DeGeneres to Waikiki, Hawaii and recognition by a humanitarian organization whose past award recipients included Al Gore and Angelina Jolie.
    He was an advocate for the awareness and living condition improvement of the Sherpa people of Nepal.

Credit: Pr31wnb


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 69.23% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 7 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 15 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 16 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 12 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 25 Votes: 48.00% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 38 Votes: 44.74% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 24 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 24 Votes: 20.83% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 24 Votes: 54.17% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 43 Votes: 37.21% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 133 Votes: 38.35% Annoying