Ohio Lottery: Indicted suspect to appear on Ohio Lottery TV show
A man awaiting trial on charges accusing him of bilking $135,000 from three people in a home-repair scam is scheduled to appear on the Ohio Lottery's television game show, officials said.
Timothy Snyder and other contests, who earn appearances on "Make Me Famous, Make Me Rich" through scratch-off lottery tickets, potentially could win $60,000 or more on the show.
There are no laws or rules preventing Snyder from appearing on the show, which was taped this week, lottery spokeswoman Marie Kilbane said. Lottery rules prevented her from releasing results of the show, which is scheduled to air March 31.
A message seeking comment was left Thursday for Kristin Burkett, Snyder's lawyer in Newark, 30 miles east of Columbus.
Snyder, 44, of St. Louisville, north of Newark, is scheduled for trial May 29 in Licking County Common Pleas Court on two counts of theft from an elderly person, theft and misuse of a credit card. Snyder, arrested and indicted last year, is free on $5,000 bond.
Authorities allege Snyder encouraged three area residents to open joint bank accounts with him and cash in insurance annuities to buy supplies for home repairs that were never completed.
Dan Huston, an assistant county prosecutor, said Wednesday that he hoped Snyder fared well on the lottery show so, if convicted, he would have money to repay those he has been accused of cheating. He could be sentenced to more than 20 years in prison if convicted.
There are no restrictions on Snyder's bond that would prohibit his participation on the show, Huston said.
Lottery officials screen contestants to determine whether they owe child support or back taxes to the state, with winnings applied to any payments that are due, Kilbane said.
Snyder's entry was among those selected at random in a biweekly drawing from a drum containing between 10,000 and 15,000 winning tickets.