Randall "Randy" Rush has seen riches throughout the last few years, but he's also gone through some loss. 
 
In 2015, the former Lamont resident won $50-million playing the lottery. 
 
"I don't gamble, that's the really crazy thing about it, never have," he recalled.
 
Having grown up without a lot of money, this was an insanely happy moment in his life. Until a 'friend' convinced him to invest in an Arizona technology start-up company.
 
Instead of the $4.6-million he had invested going into the company's progress, the friend and his family allegedly bought luxury sports cars and were living the high life. It turns out Rush wasn't the only one who had fallen victim to the crimes, over 125 people had been through the exact same situation.
 
Rush was able to recuperate his money after a long court battle, going through what he called the "unfair justice system." His frustration was with federal agencies like the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the International Revenue Service (IRS), who knew his entrepreneurial friend already owed millions of dollars in back taxes. Nothing was done about it. 
 
"I had heard about the devastating emotional toll white-collar crimes take on its victims. But it wasn’t until I was a victim myself that I understood just how engulfing the devastation really is." 
 
To tell his story, Rush has a book out currently called Blood Suckers, as well a memoir, 13 Billion to One, on the way in June.
 
"The white-collar crime laws between [the United States and Canada] are just absolutely appalling. I can steal your bike or car and go to jail and rightfully so, but I can sell you an investment and I can take off to wherever," he added.
 
Other than his new memoir, he continues using his money for good, being involved in many support-based projects. Most recently, helping kids in South Sudan and Uganda.
 
Rush lived in the Edmonton area for 17 years, spending most of that time between Lamont and Fort Saskatchewan.