Kansas couple claims $200,000 Powerball ticket is theirs
An ownership dispute over a winning Powerball lottery ticket worth $200,000 prompted a Grantville, Kansas couple to file a lawsuit against the Kansas Lottery and the Kroger Co. earlier this month.
Topeka attorney Danton Hejtmanek filed the lawsuit on Feb. 10 in Shawnee County District Court on behalf of Ara and Gary Carbonneau, who claim to have purchased a winning Powerball ticket and have a receipt to prove it.
Michele A. Kaminski, who was in possession of the winning ticket, also wants the $200,000 prize. Kaminski is represented by Topeka attorney Stephen Cavanaugh.
"Seldom do these type of situations come up," Ed Van Petten, executive director of the Kansas Lottery, said Thursday.
He said his agency continues to investigate. As a result of the lawsuit, the $200,000 prize hasn't been paid, he said.
When the Carbonneaus came forward, they said they didn't have the ticket but had the pay slip, Van Petten said.
"We began investigating when and where they purchased the ticket," he said. "When the other party came forward, we began looking into that matter as well."
For Hejtmanek, the matter is "crystal clear."
"My clients bought the winning ticket," he said Thursday.
Seldom do these type of situations come up," Ed Van Petten, executive director of the Kansas Lottery, said Thursday.
It seems to be happening more and more these days!
I agree that it seems to be happening more and more. However how much of this has happened in the past.
These stories have been seen more here at Lottery Post because of the news feature that Todd has for us to read lottery related topics. Local and national newspapers would place an article like this in the back pages with only a short paragraph on the topic if reported at all.
Articles like this has made the forum members more aware of the importance of their lottery ticket from purchase to safekeeping.
I think the time has come for the various lottery commissions to seriously think about having the ticket terminals stamp the play slips with time and date of purchase. This may clear up ownership of a lost ticket. It would further invalidate the play slip prdventing its use again.
pegleg
Van Petten said the Kansas Lottery works on "the presumption that the person in possession of the ticket is the winner."
"That's why we recommend signing lottery tickets," he said. "That way you own it even if you lose it."
However, was there an act of deception on the part of the store clerk. If so, the Carbonneau's never had the opportunity to sign the ticket and "the presumption that the person in possession of the ticket is the winner." is an invalid statement.
KIS/S - Keep it simple. . .Keep it short.
A "bearer bond" is a bearer bond. Like traveler's checks, when you sign them, they become your property. If you don't, they're legal tender. Let's not get complicated here.
Collusion between the cashier and bearer of the ticket? Strongly possible, but then again, people forget their change at the cash register sometimes in addition to lottery tickets. Conscientious $7 an hour cashiers occasionally look out for their frequent customers.
Actually, the correct acronym is K.I.S.S. for Keep It Simple Stupid. Also, this hardly an issue of "Opps, I left my change at the counter." It's also not beyond possibility that a long time friend or acquaintance would lie to or deceive their friend or acquaintance; which has been know to happen to people.
Always check you tickets before you leave the store. I learned the hard way one time. I played 2 tickets with the same number and was a $660 winner in the pick 3. When I bought my tickets, I got distracted when paying for them and just put tickets in my purse. When I checked the drawing that night and my numbers came up I was so excited and went to get tickets out of my purse. Guess what, they were not there. They clerk did not give them to me. All I had was the play slip. Always check to make sure you get your tickets and sign the backs even if they drawing has not taken place. You just never know.
So did you sue the clerk, store and person that found your winning tickets?
In Canada, there was a single winner of a $30 milion tax-free cash jackpot last April, but the ticket has been lost and will expire worthless next month!