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Fight over lottery ticket heads to court

Fight over lottery ticket heads to court

Posted: 10/16/2007 8:38:01 AM

Florida Lottery

In a Bartow, Florida, courtroom, two men are dreaming of being a millionaire, but only one will.

Michael Ford and Abraham Shakespeare were once good friends and partners at work. Now they are battling over a winning $30 million lottery ticket.

Ford is suing Shakespeare because he says Shakespeare stole the lucky ticket from him.

Ford is being represented by long-time Tampa attorney Arnold Levine.

During opening statements, Levine told jurors they should question Shakespeare's truthfulness because he is a convicted felon.

"When you consider the testimony of Mr. Shakespeare, when he testifies under oath, and tells you what he says occurred, you're going to have the benefit of his history of dishonesty," Levine said.

Shakespeare's attorney is flamboyant self-made billionaire Willie Gary.

He says Shakespeare asked Ford to buy him a ticket, and he paid for it.

Gary says after Shakespeare won, Ford just got jealous.

"Michael Ford is a liar. He is a big liar, and he won't tell the truth, and he is trying to take something that is not his," said Gary.

The ticket was bought at a convenience store in Frostproof last November.

Testimony begins Tuesday. The trial is expected to last one week.

Source: Fox 13

JackpotWanna's avatar - squiz
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Posted: October 16, 2007, 9:00 am - IP Logged Bottom Top

Say"No", when someone ask you to buy lottery tickets for them.

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Posted: October 16, 2007, 12:05 pm - IP Logged Bottom Top

Why? What does the guy who bought the ticket have to lose? If you buy a ticket for somebody else you already know who the ticket belongs to, and it isn't you. If you buy it for yourself, then not buying for somebody else wouldn't change anything.

The real lesson here is never ask somebody to buy your tickets for you unless you're sure you can prove the ticket belongs to you. In this case there's apparently no dispute about who bought the ticket, but if Ford didn't buy it for Shakespeare, how did Shakespeare get it, and when?

There's a better article here:http://www.theledger.com/article/20071016/NEWS/710160398/1134  but the extra information makes it even harder to decide who's the liar. Ford claims Shakespeare stole two tickets from his wallet, which he supposedly left in their delivery truck, and he's apparently claiming it happened later on the same day that he bought them.  Regardless of his past crimes, does it make sense that Shakespeare would steal $2 worth of lottery tickets from a friend who would presumably figure out they had been stolen?  Ford is apparently claiming he didn't figure out the tickets were stolen until after Shakespeare had claimed the prize, which had to be at least two days later. Ford just leaves his wallet laying in the truck, and doesn't notice that his lottery tickets (and what about any cash that was in it, too?) are missing until at least two days later?  That sounds pretty farfetched to me. OTOH, Shakespeare was apparently in the truck when Ford went in and bought the tickets.  Why would you have somebody else buy the tickets for you if you're already right outside the store anyway? Neither one of them has a story that really makes sense.


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Posted: October 16, 2007, 12:24 pm - IP Logged Bottom Top

Money does strange things to some people.

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Posted: October 16, 2007, 1:51 pm - IP Logged Bottom Top

willie gary is really good so even if his client is lying he may still win the case. i wouldnt want to be in this situation they are in so i wouldnt ask anyone to buy me tickets again and i hope no one else asks me to buy tickets for them unless we sign a contract and then get it notarized.

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Posted: October 16, 2007, 1:59 pm - IP Logged Bottom Top

This does not make sense: 

Stealing 2 lottery tickets worth $2  from the wallet of your long time friend.   

This makes sense: 

Asking your friend to buy you a couple of lotto tickets as he goes inside the store while you're waiting inside the car.  (I do this sometimes especially at gas stations). 

After reading this news however, I will no longer ask anybody to buy my tickets, nor will I buy tickets for anybody.

         Sun Smiley             

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Posted: October 16, 2007, 2:12 pm - IP Logged Bottom Top

Why? What does the guy who bought the ticket have to lose? If you buy a ticket for somebody else you already know who the ticket belongs to, and it isn't you. If you buy it for yourself, then not buying for somebody else wouldn't change anything.

The real lesson here is never ask somebody to buy your tickets for you unless you're sure you can prove the ticket belongs to you. In this case there's apparently no dispute about who bought the ticket, but if Ford didn't buy it for Shakespeare, how did Shakespeare get it, and when?

There's a better article here:http://www.theledger.com/article/20071016/NEWS/710160398/1134  but the extra information makes it even harder to decide who's the liar. Ford claims Shakespeare stole two tickets from his wallet, which he supposedly left in their delivery truck, and he's apparently claiming it happened later on the same day that he bought them.  Regardless of his past crimes, does it make sense that Shakespeare would steal $2 worth of lottery tickets from a friend who would presumably figure out they had been stolen?  Ford is apparently claiming he didn't figure out the tickets were stolen until after Shakespeare had claimed the prize, which had to be at least two days later. Ford just leaves his wallet laying in the truck, and doesn't notice that his lottery tickets (and what about any cash that was in it, too?) are missing until at least two days later?  That sounds pretty farfetched to me. OTOH, Shakespeare was apparently in the truck when Ford went in and bought the tickets.  Why would you have somebody else buy the tickets for you if you're already right outside the store anyway? Neither one of them has a story that really makes sense.

"Why would you have somebody else buy the tickets for you if you're already right outside the store anyway? Neither one of them has a story that really makes sense."

If for some reason I had to remain in the truck, I would certainly expect them to hand me the ticket when they returned especially if I had handed them a buck to buy the ticket. It almost sounds like Ford is claiming Shakespeare stole the tickets out of his wallet when he was in the store buying them.

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Posted: October 16, 2007, 6:21 pm - IP Logged Bottom Top

Sorry but this story isnt going to stop my graciousness and kindness when buying for a relative or close friend. I consider myself a person of good character judgement and honesty. Most folks that I do such deeds for have done likewise for my being in the past.  Common sense and trustworthy folks are far and few between, but they are out there.

As to this court case, it will be a battle of verbal wit between the lawyers. Debating and twisting the truth is a careful science in which these guys have a knack for. I dont want to have to be in either sides shoes. They will each lose and the lawyers have only everything to gain.

kindness is a small gesture accepted by another 

 

 

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Posted: October 16, 2007, 7:33 pm - IP Logged Bottom Top

willie gary is really good so even if his client is lying he may still win the case. i wouldnt want to be in this situation they are in so i wouldnt ask anyone to buy me tickets again and i hope no one else asks me to buy tickets for them unless we sign a contract and then get it notarized.

I  believe  your  right  I  just  fliped  through  his  web  site  and  saw  this  tidbit  of  information  on  his  new  737    airplane???/

Gary Unveils Newest Member of His Law Firm’s Fleet – Custom 32-passenger Boeing 737

Willie E. Gary unveiled the newest member of his air fleet – “Wings of Justice II,” a custom-designed, 32-passenger Boeing 737 that will be used to conduct business throughout the United States and beyond.

The aircraft, which sports an interior renovation that cost more than $11 million, includes an 18-karat gold sink, plush leather seats, carpet, a $1.2 million sound system, and a full-service kitchen.

well  just   think  if  he  looses  will  this  othere  guy  have  to  payoff  the  lawyer  in  cash?//   I  bet   it   all   comes   down  to   a   verbale-  aggreement ;

But  the  way  I  see  this  story  if  your  my   friend  and  I  say  will  you  play  this  number  for  me  or  get  me   a  quick  pick  ......here  is  the  money ....and   as  my   friend  I  play  it  and  you  win  .......a  real  man  would   share   his  new   found   wealth  -  with  the   main  person   who  helped  him   win  ...... this    dude  with  the  ticket  must  be   of  the   wrong   seed  ,...because  he  never  compensated  the   person   for   buying  the  ticket   at  the  right  time   and  place;

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Posted: October 16, 2007, 7:49 pm - IP Logged Bottom Top

"this    dude  with  the  ticket  must  be   of  the   wrong   seed  ,...because  he  never  compensated  the   person   for   buying  the  ticket"

He says he planned to give Ford $200,000.  It seems that Ford didn't waste much time in claiming the ticket was really his, and filing the lawsuit. How much would you give to somebody who was trying to steal $17 million from you?