http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/03/11/million.ap.jpg.ap/index.html
Woman denies trying to pass fake $1 million bill
Thursday, March 11, 2004 Posted: 9:38 AM EST (1438 GMT)
A police report says Pike tried to pay for the items with the fake bill and even asked for change.
ATLANTA (AP) -- A woman who tried to use a fake $1 million bill to buy $1,675 worth of merchandise at Wal-Mart said it was all just a misunderstanding -- she thought the bill was real.
The United States Treasury does not make $1 million bills.
"You can't keep up with the U.S. Treasury," said Alice Pike, speaking from jail.
Pike, 35, was arrested last week at the Wal-Mart. The bill was a novelty item that can be bought at gag shops. Pike told police she got it from her estranged husband, who is a coin collector.
Pike said she first tried to buy the merchandise with two Wal-Mart gift cards. But the cashier told her the cards only had a total value of $2.32. That's when Pike says she pulled out the $1 million bill.
"All I've got is this," Pike said she told the cashier.
"I wasn't trying to pass off the bill," she said. "That's ridiculous."
A police report says Pike tried to pay for the items with the fake bill and even asked for change.
Prosecutors must decide whether to prosecute Pike on charges of first-degree forgery.
