Northeast

Court rules on alleged cheater who kept $70,000 engagement ring in case that challenged state law

Published

1 year ago

November 10, 2024

Court rules on alleged cheater who kept ,000 engagement ring in case that challenged state law

The highest court in the state of Massachusetts just decided what to do with a $70,000 engagement ring at the center of a dispute between a former couple.

It overruled a six-decade-long state rule that pushed judges to identify who was to blame for the end of a relationship, instead stating that the engagement ring must be returned to the person who first purchased it.

The former couple, Bruce Johnson and Caroline Settino, first started dating in the summer of 2016. Johnson allegedly paid for extravagant gifts and vacations for Settino, according to court documents.

BRIDE CALLS OFF ENGAGEMENT, ATTENDS WEDDING DAYS LATER WITH HER FRIENDS AND FAMILY

In August 2017, Johnson asked Settino’s father for her hand in marriage and proposed with a $70,000 diamond engagement ring.

According to court filings, Johnson claimed Settino then became critical and unsupportive, not accompanying him to treatments for his prostate cancer, and berating him.

Johnson looked through Settino’s mobile phone and found messages from her to a man he did not know.

The engagement ring was valued at $70,000. (iStock)

“My Bruce is going to be in Connecticut for three days. I need some playtime,” Settino’s text read.

Johnson also discovered a voicemail where the same unidentified man called Settino “cupcake” and said that they didn’t see enough of each other.

After confronting Settino with the messages, Johnson ended their engagement. However, ownership of the $70,000 engagement ring was unclear. A legal battle ensued.

JENNIFER LOPEZ’S ENGAGEMENT RING FROM BEN AFFLECK PROMISED HE WAS ‘NOT GOING ANYWHERE’

While one trial judge concluded Settino was entitled to keep the ring, an appeals court found Johnson should get the ring.

The case ultimately landed before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in September of this year, which ruled that Johnson should keep the engagement ring.

When a wedding doesn’t happen, justices said in their ruling that the question of “who is at fault” should continue to govern ownership rights over engagement rings.

A Massachusetts ruling from nearly 70 years ago found that engagement rings are seen as conditional gifts and can be returned if there is a broken off engagement if that person is “without fault.”

The justices wrote in Friday’s ruling, “we now join the modern trend adopted by the majority of jurisdictions that have considered the issue and retire the concept of fault in this context.”

Attorney John Kappos, standing rear left, argues for the doctor in Boston on March 9, 2022. The Supreme Judicial Court hears oral arguments in Roger M. Kligler & Dr. Alan Steinbach vs. Maura Healey & Michael OKeefe. Dr. Roger Kligler, who has incurable metastatic prostate cancer, wants doctors to be able to prescribe lethal amounts of drugs to terminally ill patients with six months or less to live, without fear of prosecution. The states highest court on Wednesday weighed arguments in a Cape Cod doctors controversial right-to-die case, with justices questioning whether the times, law, and medicine had evolved to make it time to legalize medically assisted death and whether the decision should be left to the Legislature. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

“Where, as here, the planned wedding does not ensue and the engagement is ended, the engagement ring must be returned to the donor regardless of fault,” the justices continued.

Stephanie Taverna Siden, the lawyer who represented Bruce Johnson, said she was “pleased” with the decision.

“We are very pleased with the court’s decision today. It is a well-reasoned, fair and just decision and moves Massachusetts law in the right direction,” Siden said to the Associated Press.

One of Settino’s lawyers, Nicholas Rosenberg, said they were disappointed with the outcome to the Associated Press, but respected the decision of the court to follow the majority rule of the rest of the states.

“We firmly believe that the notion of an engagement ring as a conditional gift is predicated on outdated notions and should no longer be a legal loophole in our otherwise well-established rule that a breach of a promise to marry is not an injury recognized by law,” Nicholas Rosenberg said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jasmine is a writer at Fox News Digital and a military spouse based in New Orleans. Stories can be sent to jasmine.baehr@fox.com

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 2 Day results for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

31 minutes ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 2 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 4-7, Wild: 5

Evening: 8-8, Wild: 0

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 6-7-7, Wild: 5

Evening: 0-0-3, Wild: 0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 7-2-1-4, Wild: 5

Evening: 5-7-3-1, Wild: 0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 8-4-5-4-4, Wild: 5

Evening: 1-1-9-8-7, Wild: 0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

04-14-16-20-38

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

02-04-08-13-30

Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

10-12-23-31-33-46

Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

03-04-13-28-42, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.

When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Pennsylvania editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Rhode Island

Bodycam footage shows moments police respond to Pawtucket shooting

Published

37 minutes ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Bodycam footage shows moments police respond to Pawtucket shooting

Police bodycam footage shows the moments officers arrived to the scene of a deadly mass shooting in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The shooting on Feb. 16 at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena killed Rhonda Dorgan and Aidan Dorgan, the ex-wife and son of the shooter, who died by suicide.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

Gerald Dorgan, Rhonda’s father, died from his injuries this week. His wife, Linda Dorgan, and family friend Thomas Geruso remain hospitalized.

Around five minutes after the first officer arrives, he beings helping paramedics with a man who identifies himself as Aidan. Twelve minutes in, Aidan Dorgan is transported to the hospital, where he would later die from his injuries.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.

For the last 10 minutes of the footage, the officer then begins helping paramedics transport the other three gunshot victims.

The video ends with police prepping witness interviews.

The shooting rocked the Pawtucket community. Chris Librizzi, head coach of the Blackstone Valley Schools hockey team impacted by the shooting, said the players and coaching staff “are devastated over the events that took place at Lynch Arena on Monday and intimately affected one of our teammates.”

As authorities continue investigating the shooting in Pawtucket, three patients remain in critical condition.

“We will lean on each other and support one another, as we have always done as a team,” he added.

Pawtucket police said two handguns were found at the scene after the shooting, a Sig Sauer P226 and Glock. Other weapons have been seized at the suspect’s storage unit in Maine.

Investigators continue reviewing all video evidence from before, during and after the shooting, including surveillance footage from the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, police body-worn camera footage and other records — a high school sports livestream captured the shooting from a distance — police said.

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Vermont

VT Lottery Mega Millions, Gimme 5 results for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

1 hour ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at Feb. 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Vermont Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Vermont Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Gimme 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

03-22-25-35-37

Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 8-7-9

Evening: 5-3-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 3-4-6-6

Evening: 8-5-3-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

03-04-13-28-42, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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