Half brothers fight over million dollar lottery ticket

Jul 16, 2014, 5:30 pm (7 comments)

Pennsylvania Lottery

CARLISLE, Pa. — Two estranged half brothers faced off on Tuesday in a Pennsylvania court in a fight over a winning million-dollar lottery ticket.

Ira Sharp claims he gave his half brother Charles Meehan $20 to buy a Hot Million instant ticket in Johnny Joe's sports bar and they agreed to split any winnings, Sharp's attorney R. Mark Thomas said in the Cumberland County Court of Pleas.

The ticket was a winner, but Meehan tried to hide it and keep all of the money, the attorney said.

The two men, who both live in Mechanicsburg and no longer speak to one another, are fighting it out before a jury and Judge Christylee Peck.

Meehan in effect agreed to give half the winnings to his half brother by accepting the $20, Thomas said in his opening statement.

"When Mr. Meehan played that $20 and won, he owed him half," he said.

Douglas Miller, Meehan's lawyer, did not dispute the facts of the case but told the jury that Sharp never conditioned the gift of the $20 on splitting the winnings.

"Mr. Meehan wanted to help his half brother, to give him some of the winnings," the lawyer said. "But not because he was contractually obligated to."

However, he said, Meehan no longer "has any desire to help his brother."

The jury trial was expected to conclude today.

Reuters

Comments

Todd's avatarTodd

How's this for quick reporting?  The jury just wrapped, and it was decided they had to split the prize:  https://www.lotterypost.com/news/278143

Nikkicute's avatarNikkicute

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Jul 16, 2014

How's this for quick reporting?  The jury just wrapped, and it was decided they had to split the prize:  https://www.lotterypost.com/news/278143

That's good, didn't take them too long to see the truth!

sophtexastyle's avatarsophtexastyle

You know its really,really sad that 2 brothers (wether they are half or blood related) would have to let the judicial system decide for them what the right thing to do when it comes to money. These are grown men. Family or anyone as for as Im concerned should know to share the money as agreed prior to the purchase of the ticket.Gee you think maybe they found greed instead???

fwlawrence's avatarfwlawrence

How much after taxes and lawyers?

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Jul 16, 2014

How's this for quick reporting?  The jury just wrapped, and it was decided they had to split the prize:  https://www.lotterypost.com/news/278143

Smile

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Smiley

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by sophtexastyle on Jul 17, 2014

You know its really,really sad that 2 brothers (wether they are half or blood related) would have to let the judicial system decide for them what the right thing to do when it comes to money. These are grown men. Family or anyone as for as Im concerned should know to share the money as agreed prior to the purchase of the ticket.Gee you think maybe they found greed instead???

I Agree! splitting / was the best idea now everyone can be happy Love

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