Daily Real Estate News  |  December 14, 2007  |   Contractor Says Finders Keepers With Home's Hidden Cash
A contractor who found a small fortune in depression-era money in metal boxes hidden between the studs of a bathroom that he was renovating is suing the home owner, after rejecting her offer of 10 percent.

Bob Kitts was working on the 83-year-old home near Cleveland, owned by a high school friend, Amanda Reece, who was away.

After he found the first box, Kitts called Reece and she rushed home. Together they found four more boxes full of cash and religious memorabilia. Appraisers determined that much of the $125,000 in cash was collectible — rare 1929-series Cleveland Federal Reserve bank notes, worth about $85 each.

Kitts says he found lost money and Ohio law says it’s finders keepers if there’s no owner likely to appear to collect the booty.

Reece says the money is hers and Kitts is just trying to “shake” her down.

At this point it looks like the judge will have to decide.

Source: The Plain Dealer (12/12/07)