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Massachusetts father and son sentenced to prison for decade-long $20M lottery ticket schemeNews Story
State's top lottery ticket cashers' attempt to create statewide network of scammers halted for good By Kate Northrop A father and son duo from Massachusetts was sentenced to prison in federal court on Monday, concluding the case surrounding an absurd number of prize claims that turned out to be fraudulent. Ali Jaafar, 63, and Yousef Jaafar, 29, both of Watertown, have received their sentencing five months after being convicted of multiple counts related to a scheme that cheated the I
May 23, 2023, 1:22 pm - Lottery News

Maine winner of $1.35 billion Mega Millions lottery jackpot comes forwardNews Story
Winner claims prize anonymously under a trust By Kate Northrop The Maine Lottery announced this week the lone winning ticket-holder of the $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot drawn in January has come forward. As of Tuesday, the $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot drawn on Jan., 13, the fourth-largest lottery jackpot in history, has been claimed. The lucky lottery winner might be the richest person in Maine right now (or perhaps a neighboring state). They turned a date that is ty
Feb 23, 2023, 11:46 am - Lottery News

Massachusetts father and son found guilty of fraud after cashing in $20M worth of lottery ticketsNews Story
By Kate Northrop A father and son duo from Massachusetts was found guilty of fraud this past weekend after the Massachusetts Lottery recognized an unusual number of prize claims tied to the pair within the past decade. Ali Jaafar, 63, and his son, Yousef Jaafar, 29, both of Watertown, were convicted of multiple counts related to a ten-percenting scheme, in which they would cash winning lottery tickets on behalf of the actual winners to avoid taxes and receive tax refunds. In August 2
Dec 14, 2022, 8:00 am - Lottery News

Ohio lottery winner wins $1 million but claims losses of $1 millionNews Story
Shifty player thought he could skirt the IRS By Kate Northrop An Ohio Lottery player who won $1 million is in hot water with the IRS after falsely claiming gambling losses of $1 million and wiring his winnings abroad. Mustafa Shalash, of Hillard, was charged with one count of filing a false tax return with the IRS after winning a $1 million prize and then claiming gambling losses of an equal amount. In 2015, Shalash won a $1 million prize on a single lottery ticket and received
Nov 12, 2021, 11:35 am - Lottery News

Twelve individuals and three stores indicted in Massachusetts lottery schemeNews Story
Another fraud ring is caught By Kate Northrop On Tuesday, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that twelve individuals and three stores in the state were indicted in connection with an ongoing scheme to launder lottery winnings and thus avoid paying taxes. The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission (MSLC), in conjunction with State Police, discovered that twelve individuals conspired to evade taxes in a calculated scheme to defraud the state of taxes on lottery winnings
Oct 28, 2021, 12:42 pm - Lottery News

Massachusetts father and sons accused of defrauding Lottery of $21 millionNews Story
Statistically improbable number of wins raises red flags By Kate Northrop A Massachusetts family is accused of defrauding the Massachusetts Lottery of nearly $21 million in a tax evasion scheme that took place over the past decade. It wouldn't be farfetched to say that cashing in more than 13,000 winning lottery tickets worth almost $21 million over eight years would be statistically impossible, if not improbable. This many wins could not simply be attributed to sheer luck. A stati
Aug 25, 2021, 11:00 am - Lottery News

VIDEO: What happens when you win the lottery?News Story
What would you do if you won? By Kate Northrop Every time you buy a lottery ticket, you're likely imagining the blissful what if I win? scenario, but let's say you DO win are you really prepared to claim all that cash? Lottery Post today announced the relaunch of its official YouTube channel. The very first published video features a topic that's relevant for new and seasoned players alike. It's easy to imagine how easy life would get if you were to suddenly come across million
May 28, 2021, 6:46 pm - Lottery News

NJ man admits running illegal "Pick 6" lottery, evades $65,000 in taxesNews Story
Illegal gambling business took in $250,000 By Kate Northrop A man from Ocean County, New Jersey pleaded guilty to operating an illegal lottery on Tuesday after having drawn in $250,000 in cash proceeds from the scheme. Edward O'Neill, 54, of Beachwood appeared before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti via videoconference and pleaded guilty to charges against him, including one count of managing an illegal gambling business and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. Acco
Apr 22, 2021, 2:55 pm - Lottery News

South Carolina store owner who sold $1.5 billion Mega Millions ticket is arrestedNews Story
Retailer re-enters the spotlight after skirting thousands in tax evasion By Kate Northrop The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) announced on Saturday that the store owner who sold the winning ticket for the $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot in 2018 has been arrested and charged with five counts of tax evasion. Chirag Jayanti Patel, 49, was found to have underreported $2.04 million in sales while operating KCP, Inc. under the KC Mart convenience store business in Greenville
Mar 15, 2021, 4:11 pm - Lottery News

State of Oregon forcing retailers to pay taxes on video lottery machines that are shut downNews Story
Hundreds of bars and restaurants already struggling to survive are now facing another financial setback. The Oregon Lottery is collecting taxes on each video lottery machine, even though the machines are shut down. I was absolutely floored. I could not believe it, said Gloria Huguley, owner of Newport Steak and Seafood. Huguley said she owes $2,082 in taxes for the six video lottery machines in her restaurant, which remains closed due to stay-at-home restrictions. The family-run restauran
Apr 30, 2020, 8:20 am - Lottery News