Cheated winner wants Texas Lottery to pay up

Comment #43

PERDUE — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:41:39 GMT

Au Contraire. It is because of the thefts of winning tickets, the TLC decided to install these scan machines in the stores. These scanners are used just like those price scanners you see posted in Wal-Mart. all you have to do is place your barcode on your ticket under the infrared and the screen will tell you if the ticket is a winner, hell it even plays a we're in the money jingle when you scan a winning ticket. And if your ticket is more than $599 it will tell you to go to the local lottery of... [ More ]

Comment #42

sirbrad — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:10:05 GMT

If you sign every ticket you buy you must have a lot of free time or not play very much. As I said not many are going to do that, that is why clerks are at the store for to verify winning tickets, not steal them. It is bad enough how much money the IRS steals from winners let alone store clerks on top of that.

Comment #41

PERDUE — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:40:19 GMT

I would agree with you if one thing was not so obvious.

I would be one of the main people spamming the TLC saying give this man his million dollars had he signed the ticket and the clerk removed his name and inserted his name and then cashed in the ticket. But that did not happen. You know as well as I how easy a determined crook could finagle a way to remove Mr. Willis' name had it been on the ticket. But in this case no The TLC is not is the wrong here.

You have to keep in mind that Mr.... [ More ]

Comment #40

rdgrnr — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:06:54 GMT

Maybe the TLC can give Mr. Willis a pair of hiking boots instead so he can negotiate the mountains of Katmandu with his team of lawyers in tow looking for the rest of his money then. Maybe that would be payment enough for trusting a de facto agent of the TLC.

Just because something is legal doesn't make it right.

Comment #39

benir4u — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:55:22 GMT

Ditto Perdue, you are absolutely right, he should have signed the ticket, he is the sole owner, it is his responsibility. I know that when I buy tickets I sign mine as soon as I get them and I always check my own ticket there has been too many instances where people have been frauded out of there winnings. Mr. Willis should take responsibility for his own lack security by not signing his ticket.

Comment #38

PERDUE — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:30:08 GMT

The Lottery Commission did pay out on the ticket. They honored their part of the transaction when they cashed the ticket. The problem here is the person collecting the money stole the ticket. The TX Lottery Commission has printed on their playslips, brochures, and other items that they are not responsible for any lost or stolen tickets. this is the direct quotation:

Sign ticket before claiming. Unsigned tickets could be claimed by whoever possesses the ticket.

The Texas Lottery is no... [ More ]

Comment #37

rdgrnr — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:35:49 GMT

The Lottery Commission may well be within their legal rights to withhold payment but for an agency that depends on consumer confidence I think it would be in their best interest to just pay the man his winnings in the spirit of good will and just doing the right thing.

Maybe they should keep a fund of all the unclaimed millions they haven't paid out as a contingency for just such an occasion as this.

Legalities aside (and I don't take them lightly), they should just do the right thing in t... [ More ]

Comment #36

RJOh — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:18:29 GMT

If what you suggest is the best way to do things, then I guess the lottery should hire a few million store clerks to work for them to cheat honest customers out of their jackpot wins, it would cost them a lot less money.

You assume a thieving store clerk would give everything he stole to the one who hired him. Well this store clerk was hired by the store owner and the store owner didn't get any of his loot. The lottery would be out of the same amount of money regardless of who collected the w... [ More ]

Comment #35

sirbrad — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:33:43 GMT

Umm no it is not the victim's fault at all, it NEVER is. If we went by your philosophy there would be a lot more empty jail cells. Preventing or preparing for a crime is irrelevant. Although it is certainly a good thing to do it still does not place blame on a victim because someone else decides to commit a crime. If that was the case we could all just go out and murder someone and say Well they should have known it was coming and had their door locked, it is their fault! Bullcrap. Willis did no... [ More ]

Comment #34

PERDUE — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:51:41 GMT

I must disagree with you up to a point. In this case you can blame the victim. If you read the two previous stories, you will see that this crime against Mr. Willis could've been prevented or significantly reduced had he taken the time to check his own tickets and most of all had he signed his ticket. I do not condone the theft in any shape form or fashion. But there is no way on God's green earth you or anyone can excuse Mr. Willis' actions or lack there of.

Mr. Willis must be held accountab... [ More ]

Comment #33

sirbrad — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:20:52 GMT

Actually no it isn't his fault. You can't blame the victim in a crime. Buying an Ipod and a once in a lifetime lottery jackpot ticket are two entirely different things, especially when that ticket is a winner. Not to mention A LOT more expensive than an Ipod. That kind of money should be insured by the lottery, and yes they are liable. Again, you don't blame the victim in a crime regardless of how incoherent they are.

Comment #32

KY Floyd — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:40:10 GMT

Sure they could afford it, but the state could afford to pay people for all kinds of losses. Giving away money they don't have to reduces how much goes towards government expenses, which is otherwise funded through taxes. Do you think the state should reimburse everyone who has something stolen from them? If I buy an Ipod at Best Buy and have it stolen, should Apple give me a new one?

It's too bad that the guy was ignorant enough to let somebody steal his ticket, but there's only one person a... [ More ]

Comment #31

sirbrad — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:29:38 GMT

The Texas Lottery can afford it easily, so pay up morons.

Comment #30

psykomo — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:56:59 GMT

lottery post new'weeeeeeeeeeshodwould can

cut psyko OFF cause he like'ssss$$$$!

O'BAMA@ this time!!! .....................don't play!!

lol !!!!

g@@D game

Comment #29

psykomo — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:45:22 GMT

oh my GOD ????????????????????

why does NO ONE like O'BAMA???????

Psykomo is 4 CHANGE !!!!!!!!!!!!!

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

everyone must HATE o'BAMO ?????WHY???o'BAMA give's US CHANGE

Comment #28

psykomo — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:43:28 GMT

rdgrnr:

GREAT ??????????

WHO know'$$$$$$$$$$(when he may R may NOT collect D LOTTERY)????????????????????????????????

???????????????? WHO think's HE will ever get D MONY????????????????

remember..........HE is probably waiting 4 the FREE HEALTH CARE PLAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 PASS dis SATURADY$$$$$$$$$$$$!

free health cum'g dis week END!!!!!!!

wait wait til D CKECK you win a ####### 2 talk 2 DR. OBAMO

Comment #27

Stack47 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:29:42 GMT

When the topic is man gets cheated out of a free can of Pepsi we'll keep you in mind, but this topic is about a man that bought Texas state lottery tickets from a licensed Texas Lottery retailer, took the tickets to a licensed Texas lottery retailer to be checked, and was scammed/cheated/hoodwinked/bamboozled/defrauded out of the true value of one of the tickets.

Texas just like every other state issues licenses to various agents so in the Texas State law codes there is a legal definition of... [ More ]

Comment #26

KY Floyd — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:37:17 GMT

Instead of wasting time on the retailer guidelines you'd be better off finding out the difference between a legal agent and many other types of agents . Simply calling a retailer a sales agent or sales agency doesn't mean they are a legal agent. If you read the end of your quote it very plainly says that it means retailers are licensed to sell tickets. If the lottery intended to make retailers legal agents of the lottery it would be carefully spelled out, describing exactly what powers retailers... [ More ]

Comment #25

Stack47 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:26:16 GMT

There's aspecific legal definition, and your concept of what that means doesn't appear to be based in reality

Lottery retailers are called licensed retail sales agents on the license application and in the Texas Revised Code chapter 466, section .002 DEFINITIONS (subsection (9): sales agent or sales agency means a person licensed under this chapter to sell tickets . It's obvious the person holding the license is in fact selling and redeeming lottery tickets on behalf of the TLC and I'm not w... [ More ]

Comment #24

KY Floyd — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:37:25 GMT

And that's my point, the Texas Lottery is responsible regardless of who sells or cashes their tickets.

If we were talking about a defect with a ticket or an injury caused by a defective ticket you'd be correct. Maybe you understand that the issue over the coffee was a product liability case? There was nothing wrong with the lottery ticket in question. It was a legitimate winner, and the lottery paid the prize in good faith. I expect that nobody would be arguing that the lottery is responsibl... [ More ]

Comment #23

Stack47 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:03:47 GMT

McDonald's is responsible for their coffee regardless of who sells it, because it's their coffee made and served to their specifications.

And that's my point, the Texas Lottery is responsible regardless of who sells or cashes their tickets.

The grand jury found there was enough evidence proving Willis was the rightful owner of the ticket and indited Joshi for fraud. A warrant was issued but since Joshi's whereabouts are unknown there will probably be a default judgment finding him guilty.... [ More ]

Comment #22

Stack47 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:38:34 GMT

By thorough investigation I meant simply asking the retailer if they knew the winner. Joshi might not said he worked at that store but the store owner or manager would have confirmed it. Without any laws preventing clerks from buying and cashing tickets in their stores, the potential for fraud will always be there.

Coin Toss was a dealer in Vegas and I believe they will confirm that under the Nevada state gambling codes, they can't gamble in the casino where they work or in any casino owned b... [ More ]

Comment #21

RJOh — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:16:53 GMT

I'm sure the TLC had complaints in the past about clerks cheating players so they should have done a more thorough investigation before paying off.

Joshi was a student at the University of Texas at Arlington, I doubt if he told them he also worked at the store that sold the lottery ticket. It's not unusual for a student his age to buy a lottery ticket.

Comment #20

Stack47 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:58:59 GMT

The grand jury answered the most important question when it ruled the ticket belonged to Willis. At this point it's not certain that Willis can sue the Texas Lottery Commission so using the McDonald's example is putting the cart before the horse. But if he can sue the evidence will be in his favor.

The TLC owns the lottery terminals so anyone selling or cashing tickets is acting as their agent. A retailer would be the business where the terminals are located.

I'm sure the TLC had complaint... [ More ]

Comment #19

LANTERN — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:34:50 GMT

Wel, I was not too far off, he is from Nepal which is very close to India and he did say that he was going back there.

They might never see him again, unless he was crazy enough to stay here on the US, but as Indians here stick together, even if he stayed, they might never see him.

-----

For some reason that just made me remember about D. B. Cooper., who they never found.

Comment #18

rdgrnr — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:53:18 GMT

Agent or no agent I predict that the TLC will avoid court for the sake of public relations and give Willis his money and then pursue recovery of the rest from the thief.

They can't win any other way, at least not in the court of public opinion which is very important for maintaining their credibility and stature.

It may be considered the politically correct way of resolving the issue but nonetheless it would be in their best interest for this issue to go away as quickly as possible.

I d... [ More ]

Comment #17

KY Floyd — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:52:17 GMT

I though it was clear that my post was about Willis' case against the lottery. There hasn't been a trial yet, so there certainly hasn't been a court ruling. The part you've quoted is about the criminal case against the clerk for stealing the ticket. The Grand Jury's finding simply says that they believe there is enough evidence to warrant a trial. Calling that a court ruling is a stretch.

McDonald's is responsible for their coffee regardless of who sells it, because it's their coffee made and... [ More ]

Comment #16

LANTERN — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:46:20 GMT

That guy might be long gone, back to India, Pakistan or where-ever and so perhaps a lot of the money also.

The owner of the ticket should get the full amount of money owed to him, regardless, the Tx lottery is said to make more than enough money every year, but they are so greedy.

When a lottery clerk wins big, they should first be investigated good and the winning money put in hold for at least 2 to 4 weeks just in case somebody has claims to it, if after 4 weeks nobody comes forth, then

Comment #15

Stack47 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:59:08 GMT

I'm very skeptical that the courts will find that to make the clerk an agent of the lottery.

The court has already made a ruling.

investigators determined that Willis had bought the ticket, and they gave their findings to the Travis County District Attorney's Office, according to police. A Travis County grand jury indicted Joshi on the offense of claiming a lottery prize by fraud, a second-degree felony.

The article goes on to explain over half the money has been recovered.

As for... [ More ]

Comment #14

Littleoldlady — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:35:44 GMT

I think he should get all of his money. Someone STOLE his ticket whether he was dumb, blind or stupid..the win was still his.

Comment #13

KY Floyd — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:37:57 GMT

Perhaps you need to read how this story clearly rings in favor of the gent who now seeks his winnings.

Perhaps you need to read up on when the ticket was claimed, when the gent found out that a ticket he had bought was a winning ticket, and when the lottery first heard that there was a problem. The Texas lottery has already paid the full value of the prize. At that time they had no way of knowing that the person claiming it stole it from the rightful owner.

Whether or not the lottery owes... [ More ]

Comment #12

rdgrnr — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:02:29 GMT

I think the man being not too bright will be irrelevant in any legal proceedings.

I think the main issue will be that the clerk, acting as an agent for the TLC, stole his money.

If a friend, relative or stranger stole it that's a completely different case.

But it was an agent of the TLC that stole it.

He wins, they lose.

Comment #11

maringoman — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:30:42 GMT

That pankaj Joshi should just refund back all the monies that he still has because they will catch up with him. He better return the loot and then maybe, just maybe they will be lenient with him. I'm pretty sure he still has most of the money somewhere in neat bundles.

Comment #10

TheGameGrl — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:52:57 GMT

The state will be required to pay his legal fees. Many a judgment in favor of the plaintiff is handled that the losing team pays the fees for recovery. Since its clear this man is seeking his rightful claim

As to the previous poster- Your logic does not compute. The Lottery failed on many levels. The lastest being not paying the man after all protocals were followed. This case is clear in that it WAS STOLEN and then claimed fraudently. Yes folks can claim fraud, but this man and the lottery a... [ More ]

Comment #9

RJOh — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:24:48 GMT

A few years back a player bought 13 Buckeye5 tickets with the same numbers and all his tickets were jackpot winners. The minimum jackpot payouts were $100K per ticket or if there were more than 10 winners a cap of $1M would be divided equally by all the winners. There was another winning ticket so this guy got even less then the $1M. He sued the state and the store claiming he didn't know about the cap (which was printed on the back of the play slips) so the clerk as an agent of the lottery shou... [ More ]

Comment #8

whitmansm2 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:57:31 GMT

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the last story about him say He is being very patient about this ? Now he's getting antsy?

I guess I'm slow on the uptake here, but isn't the ticket holder the barer here? I understand the clerk stole it and I understand it belongs to Willis (there is so much proof pointing at him) but how is the Texas Lottery to know all of that until it is explained to them? They gave the money to the person with the legitimate winning ticket. I guess I'm trying to s... [ More ]

Comment #7

PERDUE — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:53:02 GMT

Did I miss something somewhere in the first story about this village idiot?!!!! Mr. Willis should be grateful for any money he gets from the Lottery Comnmission!! As I recall it was Mr. Willis, who couldn't find the channel that televised the drawings (TXCN shows the lottery results all day everyday here in TX), stopped purchasing the newspaper, was too da-mn lazy to pick up the results printout on the counter/on the playslip kiosk, or scan his own frickin ticket at the scanner attached to the c... [ More ]

Comment #6

joshuakim — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:32:34 GMT

at least 20

Comment #5

rdgrnr — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:11:29 GMT

Wonder how much the lawyer is going to rip him for now?

I wish Willis the best but he seems maybe just a little bit slow and I hope he doesn't fall victim to a feeding frenzy after he gets the money.

And the Texas Lottery ought to give him his money immediately. It was stolen by someone who was a de facto agent for the Lottery.

Comment #4

konane — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:44:17 GMT

Comment #3

Raven62 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:12:40 GMT

The Texas Lottery Commission seems to be an Example of the Lack of Integrity in Government!

Come On Texas: Pay the Guy Already

Comment #2

MADDOG10 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:37:24 GMT

Mr.Willis won the money fair and square, and should be paid the full amount regardless wether or not this clerk has some of his funds.

The Lottery should pay the amount due and then go after the clerk for their money, not Mr Willis waiting for the rest of the money, or waiting for whatever funds are being held for this investigation.

Comment #1

TheGameGrl — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:22:23 GMT

as they say , Everything is BIG in Texas, Why not this BIG mistake.

I'm sure the guy will get his funds, since it went thru the investigative and court stages.

I just Hope Texas gives this man a BIG ole apology for such a fiasco.

Cheated winner wants Texas Lottery to pay up

Lottery Post — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:46:31 GMT

A man cheated of his million-dollar jackpot wants the Texas Lottery to pay up.

The case of Willis Willis drew widespread attention a week ago after a store clerk was indicted for allegedly keeping Willis' winning ticket and claiming the 67-year-old Grand Prairie man's prize in June.

The clerk, identified as Pankaj Joshi, is considered a fugitive.

And Willis is still waiting for his money.

It's been amazing what's going on, Willis, who said he does maintenance work at apartment build... [ More ]