Bill Gates to Wellington ranch seller: Give back my mailbox

We’d never call South Florida part-timer Bill Gates cheap, but his purchase of a ranch next door to his in Wellington last week could give billionaire watchers pause.

After he spent $13.5 million on the five acres next door, Gates’ lawyer emailed the seller’s lawyer to ask about the disappearance of the property’s equestrian-themed mailbox and threaten to file a police complaint for theft.

Said attorney Craig Galle, who represented seller Stuart Roffman: “I find it surprising that the world’s richest man is nickel-and-diming my client over a silly mailbox.”

Roffman admitted to taking the mailbox, just like he had from properties he’s vacated for the past 20 years.

No comment from Gates’ lawyer.

This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Bill Gates to Wellington ranch seller: Give back my mailbox."