Turkey: Worker finds $360K, turns it in to owner

By Haluk Satir

MANISA, Turkey (AA) - A municipal worker in Turkey’s Aegean province of Manisa found a bag containing 2 million Turkish liras ($360,000) in a local park, returning it to its bereft owner.

Durmus Ugur spotted the bag Thursday on a bench containing cash and checks while watering plants and trees in the province's Turgutlu district, before turning it in to his superiors to find its owner.

Speaking at a ceremony attended by the bag's owners, Cetin Akin, the district mayor, praised Ugur's exemplary behavior as a model for all of Turkey.

Ugur was awarded a gold coin by the Turgutlu Municipality.

Speaking to reporters following the ceremony, Ugur said Mahsun Orge wanted to give him a gift, but he did not accept it.

"I did my duty to humanity. I can't accept something that isn't mine," Durmus said.

Ugur is a father of two children, one of whom suffers from epilepsy, and is paying 90,000 Turkish liras (over $16,000) in housing and credit card debt.

* Writing By Faruk Zorlu