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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Lawyer gives up $14 million Iowa lottery ticket claim Hot Lotto: Lawyer gives up $14 million Iowa lottery ticket claim51 Rating:Strangest winner story ever? Lawyer sacrifices $14 million jackpot to prevent lottery from learning the winner's identity The New York lawyer who tried to redeem a multi-million dollar lottery ticket in Iowa last month — only to have his claim called into question by officials demanding to know who he represented — is giving up the quest for the jackpot. Crawford Shaw, 76, said on Thursday he was withdrawing his claim to a Hot Lotto ticket worth up to $14.3 million "because I'm not going to argue with the lottery." Shaw's decision would appear to end what Iowa lottery officials called the strangest jackpot pursuit they had ever experienced. The winning ticket was turned in December 29, less than two hours before it would have expired a year after the drawing. Iowa Lottery officials tested and validated the ticket, but refused to pay out the winnings until they could verify the purchaser's identity, among other things. Shaw, who had signed the ticket as a trustee for an entity he called the Hexam Investment Trust, never revealed who was in the trust. Iowa Lottery officials gave him a deadline: Tell us who you represent by 3 p.m. Friday afternoon or forget about collecting the millions. In the meantime, the lottery said it had learned that Shaw was "associated with criminal proceedings and bankruptcy filings in New York and Delaware," and officials were investigating. Shaw is the former chief executive officer of Industrial Enterprises of America Inc., a bankrupt public company that the Manhattan District Attorney's office said was looted in a $100 million securities fraud scheme. Shaw, who was not charged with criminal wrongdoing, is a defendant in a civil suit by the company. He claims to know nothing about the suit. In any case, he chose to call it quits on Thursday, telling Reuters he had asked a local law firm to pass along his decision to lottery officials. A spokeswoman for the lottery said they had not received notice of withdrawal from Shaw as of late Thursday afternoon. "We are checking with the local counsel," said the spokeswoman, Mary Neubauer. Reuters We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 60 comments. Last comment 1 year ago by . Orlando, FL United States Member #115805 August 28, 2011 259 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 8:11 pm - IP Logged | |
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Viva La Chance! Rockville, MD. United States Member #44542 July 30, 2006 4239 Posts Online | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 8:11 pm - IP Logged | |
And now, for something completely different. | | |
Indiana United States Member #49185 January 7, 2007 1838 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 8:15 pm - IP Logged | |
That ticket was stolen and the thief's plan to claim the jackpot has been destroyed. The sad part is that the real winner won't be able to enjoy the benefits of winning the jackpot. Everyone should sign and protect their tickets. I'm signing every ticket I purchase from now. Every single one. Gonna win. | | |
Orlando, FL United States Member #115805 August 28, 2011 259 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 8:18 pm - IP Logged | |
That ticket was stolen and the thief's plan to claim the jackpot has been destroyed. The sad part is that the real winner won't be able to enjoy the benefits of winning the jackpot. Everyone should sign and protect their tickets. I'm signing every ticket I purchase from now. Every single one.  I guess he waited until the very last minute in hopes the Iowa Lottery would pay the ticket without question. Very Very Shady.
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South Carolina United States Member #6 November 4, 2001 8387 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 8:40 pm - IP Logged | |
My guess is telling who the owner is may have something to do with the bankruptcy. If the owner of the ticket is involved in the bankruptcy it would need to be listed as an asset and he would no doubt lose it all anyhow in bankruptcy proceedings. Stats hunting:  | | |
New Jersey United States Member #2256 September 1, 2003 3669 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 8:59 pm - IP Logged | |
Lawyers. You think the guy would be smart. He must know somebody in Iowa that he could give the ticket to and then share the jackpot. All that time holding on to a $14 million dollar lottery ticket. Don't get it at all!! | | |
S.E.Iowa United States Member #120520 December 21, 2011 534 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 9:22 pm - IP Logged | |
If I ran the Iowa Lottery this would not be the end of the story.I'd prosecute Shaw for attempted theft by deception or some such law.I'd put him behind bars at Fort Madison (Iowas maximum security prison).I'd make him wish that he'd never heard of Iowa. | | |
Pennsylvania United States Member #17377 June 10, 2005 3040 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 9:26 pm - IP Logged | |
Jarasen, LOL!!! Only a Monty Python fan could recite that and make it work!! good line! ________________________________ Into the peace and light went my beloved Mother....12/4/2012. Our sorrow is great yet our love remains greater. | | |
egg harbor twp.south jersey shore United States Member #112990 June 29, 2011 2512 Posts Online | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 9:32 pm - IP Logged | |
i would't mind seein some lawyers go to jail. but some criminals go to jail and come out lawyers. Extraordinary Popular Delusions & the Madness of Crowds -- Charles Mackay LL.D. | | |
United States Member #72957 March 18, 2009 777 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 10:05 pm - IP Logged | |
Well, LP members, this one hurts deeply (when we picture it being taken from our self)! I think that the Iowa Lottery should put the $14.3M or whatever the monies they get to keep from this jackpot win in their own state for a special raffle with several BIG multi-million $ first, second, and third place jackpots. Otherwise, it just looks bad on the multi-state run Hot Lotto and Iowa Lottery Headquarters. What do you folks think and feel about this deflating/bummer end result of no jackpot winners among Hot Lotto's and Iowa Lottery's wistful players?  
Having millions of dollars in my financial accounts means more, consistent fun for me.
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Viva La Chance! Rockville, MD. United States Member #44542 July 30, 2006 4239 Posts Online | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 10:06 pm - IP Logged | |
Jarasen, LOL!!! Only a Monty Python fan could recite that and make it work!! good line! I do love that Monty Python crew. Watched it on channel 20 10PM.....and of course the movies. This turn of events is just that, a plot twister, another book, very confounding! I like this scene so very much. "Allo who ease it???????????" | | |
Ridge Runner - Oracle of the Appalachians Way back up in them dadgum hills, son! United States Member #74415 April 28, 2009 12453 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 10:20 pm - IP Logged | |
My guess is telling who the owner is may have something to do with the bankruptcy. If the owner of the ticket is involved in the bankruptcy it would need to be listed as an asset and he would no doubt lose it all anyhow in bankruptcy proceedings. I agree, JAP. Somebody was probably trying to hide it from his creditors and now realizes he won't be able to, so he'd rather give it up than give them the satisfaction of taking it from him. I'll never forget old whats-his-name...
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Ohio United States Member #120769 December 27, 2011 190 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 10:36 pm - IP Logged | |
"Just pay it!", how many on here said of Iowa Lotto? | | |
Ridge Runner - Oracle of the Appalachians Way back up in them dadgum hills, son! United States Member #74415 April 28, 2009 12453 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 10:41 pm - IP Logged | |
"Just pay it!", how many on here said of Iowa Lotto? They might as well pay it if they're not going to give the people who built that pot another chance to win it.
Why should Iowa get to keep it? I'll never forget old whats-his-name...
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