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Thunder Valley Casino Janitor Finds $10K In Cash, Returns It To Owner

LINCOLN (CBS13) - Thousands of dollars in cash was left in a casino restroom and turned into a jackpot for one janitor.

However, the Thunder Valley Casino employee didn't hold onto the cash, but returned the money instead.

It adds up to $10,000, which May Saelee found and gave away.

"This is crazy," she said of the situation.

Saelee has worked as a cleaning lady at Thunder Valley Casino for 10 years and knows every corner.

"I can see everything," she said of the casino, knowing where all the secret spots are.

Around 2:30 a.m. Friday, she could have quietly cleaned up with a small fortune.

"That seat cover, no trash. Turn around, and 'oh, money there.' I said, 'I don't think that's real money,' " Saelee said.

Someone left $10,000 in the high stakes ladies room; but instead of holding on to it, she called her boss and returned it all.

She did the right thing; although, her two sons are questioning her judgment.

"They said 'Mom, can you keep the money?' I said, 'oh no,'" Saelee said.

The casino used surveillance cameras to track down the rightful owner. She gave May a $500 reward, but didn't want to speak to CBS13 on camera.

It's probably because she's been on CBS13 before. It wasn't for leaving behind cash, but for leaving behind her kids.

Last February, 46-year-old Linh Hoang was arrested for leaving her 2-year-old and 3-year-old sons home alone while she went gambling. It was a neighbor who found her children in the street; but this time, it was Saelee who gave her missing $10,000 in cash back.

"She said 'thank you,' that's all. Then, I walked back," said Saelee.

Of her $500 reward, Saelee gave her supervisor $50.

This isn't the first time she has found a large amount of cash; last time, she found and returned $15,000.

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