MUSL employee arrested in Hot Lotto jackpot mystery

Comment #44

RedStang — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 15:46:19 GMT

You're right, i didn't notice the play slip before so he definitely set it up.

Comment #43

TheOtherOne — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 15:34:17 GMT

Where does it state he didn't ude a play slip?

did he just call out the numbers to a clerk or punch them in himself?

It says he bought the ticket at a mart so either he jumped behind a counter or had the clerk do it.

Seems to me if him and the lawyer had hired a better Canadian and covered every single minute detail then they would've got away with it. Fools

Comment #42

maringoman — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 12:19:27 GMT

Yes. He was the Director of Information Security in a game that uses those godawful RNG's. The truth shall come out

Comment #41

Stack47 — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 00:00:34 GMT

If Crawford Shaw read some LP member's opinion, he probably assumed it was someone just trying to collect anonymously.

He allegedly used friends in Texas, one of which was a lawyer, to contact a Canadian man about claiming the prize because the winner wanted to remain anonymous.

We know Shaw was involved because he tried to validate the ticket on behalf of Hexam Investments Ltd., but proving he was helping Tipton commit two counts of fraud will be almost impossible. There is the question i... [ More ]

Comment #40

Artist77 — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 21:58:33 GMT

Well I am pretty familiar with the ethics codes for attorneys and one cannot act in furtherance of a crime and if you suspect your client in committing a crime, you have an obligation to resign from the case. I find it difficult to believe the attorneys, since their conversations would have been privileged, did not ask who was the actual ticket holder. The lottery officials continued to press for questions to be answered and at that point, even a semi-intelligent person would have realized somet... [ More ]

Comment #39

KY Floyd — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 21:43:34 GMT

There was definitely speculation that it was a lottery employee who wasn't allowed to play. I don't specifically remember anyone thinking it was an inside job, but there are plenty of conspiracy theory types around here.

I was in the stolen ticket camp, and figured the delay was based on fear and the hope that time would reduce the chance that the original owner would recognize it as their ticket. I discounted the idea of a lottery employee because I figured it would have been easy enough to... [ More ]

Comment #38

RedStang — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 14:32:15 GMT

He must of somehow did something in the system because he never used a play slip. This story has gotten even more confusing.

Comment #37

sully16 — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:57:30 GMT

Clerks and lottery officials, the fasted growing criminals in America.

Comment #36

albegone — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 12:58:41 GMT

i think the original winner was murdered an this guy saw the ticket was about to expire so he asked a friend to help him get the cash. they cook up a plan that led both of them in jail i hope. dont think he had nothing to do with the winning ticket, but i think he he knew the ticket is expiring being MUSL employee so he tried to fraud the cash to him an his friend.

Comment #35

WesternRedDoug — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 02:49:54 GMT

My original guess was that the winner wanted to remain completely anonymous -- like doesn't exist, off the grid anonymous. And was able to sell is ticket for $3-5M and disappear and then the buyers have been looking to claim it.

My second guess was that it was someone with back taxes, child support or a lottery employee who wanted to stay anonymous.

I don't think this guy had insider knowledge about the numbers. No conspiracy thoughts on my end. I think he just got lucky once. What's to s... [ More ]

Comment #34

Artist77 — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 02:16:00 GMT

The attorney should be disbarred as well. My guess was that the true winner had been murdered.

Did anyone on LP guess it was an inside job

Comment #33

Nikkicute — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 22:11:02 GMT

I did forget about him!! lol

Sounds like some weird Monopoly Game, he's going directly to jail

Comment #32

dallascowboyfan — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 19:33:14 GMT

Mr Tipton go directly to jail do not pass go.

Comment #31

needinghelp — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 18:10:54 GMT

Greedy criminals like this give games a bad name....... Lets see if he gets a slap on the wrist...

Where is the outrage

Comment #30

needinghelp — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 18:05:24 GMT

Conspiracy .. Remember folks the hand is always quicker than the eye.....Never say never..

Comment #29

maringoman — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:27:04 GMT

The guy must have bought a quick pick or selected his own numbers THEN went to work and rigged the RNG to put out his numbers. Or he rigged the RNG machine to put out a specific combo for the upcoming draw THEN went out and bought that combo.

Comment #28

LottoMetro — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:18:07 GMT

If he was that psychic then he could make more money elsewhere.

The numbers aren't selected by the lottery until all terminals are closed. So how on earth could he possibly know which numbers to choose BEFORE the drawing?

This is just a case of luck hitting the wrong person. He has probably bought tickets unbeknown to MUSL for years.

Comment #27

needinghelp — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:07:12 GMT

What if he knew where and around what time the winning ticket would be produced by the lottery machine? What if this is one of the reasons they are not allowed to play? Food for thought...

Comment #26

pickone4me — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:42:19 GMT

Wow...That really says a lot about the lottery. Maybe it isn't so random after all.

Comment #25

dr65 — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 15:07:38 GMT

If the lottery is going to watchdog employees and family members by requiring a box be checked stating the

claimant is not one of those described, then they need to extend the watchful eye and include employees that

handle or are privy - in the know - to information that gives them an ADVANTAGE. It's the same game, no?

Just because it's a reportable amount doesn't make the rule null and void if it's less than that. An employee

or family member remains the same no matter w... [ More ]

Comment #24

Gleno — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:25:55 GMT

Thanks for the updates.

Comment #23

Cruzincat — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:24:13 GMT

If I were the winner of the next jackpot, I would be seeking a lawyer. Better Call Saul!

The next winner was Larry Dawson, also of Iowa. He must be aware of the outcome.

Comment #22

maringoman — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:39:06 GMT

RNGs aka computerized drawings just cannot be trusted

Comment #21

Thegreenpirate — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:10:58 GMT

My freakin question is why is no one on this forum questioning what did he know to make him be able to win? If he works in security what da shell do they know that can produce a jackpot win? Are they telling me they know the winning numbers before they win?? Wtf? If so they need to be shutdown for fraud

Comment #20

myturn — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:25:49 GMT

He should look on the bright side, as he is now no longer an. employee of the Iowa Lottery, he will be free to play.

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

LOL

Comment #19

joshuacloak — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:08:31 GMT

Wow I remb this story. I was thinking someone got scammed or maybe even got murdered over the winning ticket and the murder was like trying to claim it somehow....

Nope! It's a darn cheating lottery employee!

I have been whining for years about the state lotteries winning it's own jackpots! All thanks to a ignoramus not claiming in time the jackpot with there winning ticket!

I have to say on the crux of the matter, the lotteries should have to put ever single dollar back into the... [ More ]

Comment #18

myturn — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:01:40 GMT

As a lottery employee of the state lottery he is prohibited from participating in the lottery. However, why didn't he subscribe to another state lottery.

Comment #17

maringoman — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 11:51:17 GMT

This thug worked as the Director of Information Security for MUSL and happened to buy the jackpot winning ticket for a computerized draw game Hot Lotto

Comment #16

hearsetrax — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 11:17:50 GMT

Comment #15

Tony Numbers — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 11:03:22 GMT

There is no law against buying a scratch off after someone bought 20 losers. As long as the employee is the legal age.

Comment #14

dr65 — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 10:22:43 GMT

Ok states do something more. Director of Information Security, sounds like a big position or is it? He played the lottery

and wasn't supposed to play, he must've known taking the job that was one of the no-no's. Anyway the things he did

to hide the identity of who actually won and to collect the winnings are worse than playing. Someone said 'insider info'

....quite possible and yes, it does raise flags, doesn't it? What actually do the inside people know? I'd like to know how... [ More ]

Comment #13

KY Floyd — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 09:24:02 GMT

Maybe you should reread the article, too. It took most of 4 years for the lottery to determine that the ticket was invalid because the purchaser worked for the lottery. The correct approach is for the lottery to assume there's a problem and use security procedures to establish the ticket's validity, but as far as they actually knew when the Canadian guy contacted them it was valid. If the Canadian guy had been able to give them the right answers it's entirely possible that they would have made t... [ More ]

Comment #12

WWWBUKTN — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 09:12:17 GMT

There has to be so much more to this story. There's a much bigger reason than him working for the Lottery that he didn't have a friend or relative claim this prize and go through all this nonsense.

Comment #11

FlamingoGirl — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 07:29:45 GMT

Oh wow I remember this! I always wanted to know what happened

Comment #10

Stack47 — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 05:52:28 GMT

Don't forget the NY lawyer that tried to validate the ticket hours before the deadline for Hexam Investments Ltd. Nobody could make up story like this no matter how hard they tried.

Comment #9

mypiemaster — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 05:34:54 GMT

The really sad thing is that he denied the next legitimate winner the opportunity to collect that extra $16M. You think the greedy boneheads at the lottery will seek out the next legitimate winner and hand them the $16M they lost because of Tipton's illegal participation? Yep, dream on. Greed and the lure of easy money has been the downfall of many.

Comment #8

Seattlejohn — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 05:14:22 GMT

This one always stunk to high heaven; who gives up $16 million? And that screwball attorney with his idiotic claims refusal to follow lottery procedure was a huge red flag. Now it all makes sense. Too bad @ Mr. Tipton; he not only didn't collect on a millions to one lottery win, but will be fired (if he hasn't been already) from his place of employment. Sad, sad, sad...

Comment #7

Nikkicute — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 04:37:26 GMT

So the dude in Iowa called the guy in Texas who got in contact with the man in Canada

What the heck

Comment #6

p4wanbi — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 04:34:13 GMT

Yep. No cant split with the friend because IRS would know where the windfall come from and etc. there are a lot of he should and shouldnt . The multi-state lottery gets to keep the money that went unclaimed. He actually created bad karma for himself. Had he not play...someone who can legally play could have won that jackpot. 16mil can change many lives for the better. If you were going to play the game, quit the job to be removed from restrictions and then play.!i believe he regretted not gettin... [ More ]

Comment #5

music* — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 04:29:57 GMT

Eddie Tipton threw his career away. Stupid is as stupid does Forrest Gump

Comment #4

Igamble — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 04:28:26 GMT

I bet it was not a quick pick and maybe somehow since was security chef knew the combos /algorithm at play for that game ??That raises a lot of questions !!

what are the chances a person in that position hits that kind of jackpot ?? Very small....

Comment #3

Igamble — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 04:24:45 GMT

He did just that,but you are as they say retarded and need to re read article !

The ticket was INVALID since it was bought by person WORKING FOR THE LOTTERY and that is ILLEGAL.

The security guy for 16million bucks took a chance to try and outsmart the syztem.I may have done the same.

At least he got lucky with the winning ticket but could not cash it...that's so crazy

Comment #2

ThatScaryChick — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 04:10:50 GMT

Not very smart of Mr. Tipton. He knew he wasn't legally allowed to play in the first place and he still bought tickets anyways and then tried to claim the prize.

Comment #1

s5thomps — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 03:54:00 GMT

The Irony of it all. Should of just gave the ticket to a friend and split the profit

MUSL employee arrested in Hot Lotto jackpot mystery

Lottery Post — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 03:44:13 GMT

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has made an arrest in the four-year-old case involving a winning Hot Lotto ticket worth more than $16 million which the winner mysteriously decided not to claim.

Eddie Raymond Tipton, 51, of Norwalk, was arrested on Thursday. He has been charged with two counts of fraud, which are class D felonies.

Tipton is Director of Information Security for the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), which is a vendor of the Iowa Lottery. His job prohibits hi... [ More ]