According to the Connecticut Office of State Treasure, Unclaimed Property Division:
What is Unclaimed Property?
We may have something that belongs to you! In Connecticut, the Office of State Treasurer collects and safeguards money and other valuables which have been unclaimed by Connecticut residents for a specific period of time, generally three to five years. Unclaimed assets include, but are not limited to: savings or checking accounts, un-cashed checks, deposits, stocks, bonds or mutual fund shares, travelers' checks or money orders and life insurance policies. Rightful owners or their heirs always have the right to claim funds held by the Treasury. There is no time limit for you to claim this money.
In accordance with state law, the assets are transferred to the Treasurer by entities such as banks, insurance companies, stock transfer agents, utilities, hospitals, retail, manufacturing and service companies following a loss of contact with the owners of record. Specific forms and instructions are provided by the Unclaimed Property Division each year for businesses to file unclaimed property. Such assets must be reported and remitted within 90 days following the close of each calendar year. These assets are held in the custody of the Treasurer until claimants come forward or are located.
The definition of "Unclaimed Assets" states that it includes, but is not limited to a wide range of assets.
Certainly the amount of money in a lottery jackpot prize fund, or any annuity purchased with those funds, would be considered a valuable asset.
"In accordance with state law, the assets are transferred to the Treasurer by entities such as banks, insurance companies, (etc.)"
Wouldn't the Connecticut State Lottery would be considered such an entity?
"These assets are held in the custody of the Treasurer until claimants come forward or are located."
Mr. Jackson apparently did come forward with a bona fide claim to it.
There does seem to be some confusion here as to the time period to make a claim.
In the above it says "generally three to five years", but at the end, "There is no time limit for you to claim your money."
If this, or similar policy was in effect fifteen years ago then Mr. Jackson should have been allowed to claim the money at that time.
"Rightful owners or their heirs always have the right to claim funds held by the Treasury. There is no time limit for you to claim this money."
And, "These assets are held in the custody of the Treasurer until claimants come forward or are located."
If this is true, then he should be allowed to claim the money even now.
(Unless the definition of Unclaimed Property somehow excludes unclaimed lottery winnings)
"We may have something that belongs to you!"
Yes, indeed!