Lottery winner claims Rs 2,800 crore prize; company cites 'error'

PTC News Desk: A Washington DC man, John Cheeks, has found himself embroiled in a legal battle with Powerball and the DC Lottery after believing he had clinched the staggering $340 million jackpot. The incident, which has sparked controversy, stems from a lottery ticket Cheeks purchased on January 6, 2023.

Despite missing the subsequent Powerball drawing, Cheeks was stunned to discover his numbers listed on the DC Lottery's website merely two days later. However, both Powerball and the DC Lottery assert that his numbers were erroneously published, igniting a contentious dispute over the rightful recipient of the colossal jackpot. In an interview with NBC Washington, Cheeks described his initial reaction as a mixture of excitement and disbelief. He recalled calmly contacting a friend, capturing a photo of the ticket as advised, and then retiring for the night.

However, upon presenting his ticket to the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG), Cheeks faced a disheartening rejection. Court documents reveal that administrators denied his jackpot claim, citing the failure of his ticket to validate as a winner within the OLG's gaming system, as mandated by regulations.

"One of the claims agents told me my ticket was no good, just to throw it in the trash can," Cheeks recounted to the BBC, expressing his incredulity. Rather than discarding the ticket as suggested, Cheeks safeguarded it in a safe deposit box and sought legal recourse against Powerball. His lawsuit, also targeting the Multi-State Lottery Association and game contractor Taoti Enterprises, alleges multiple counts, including breach of contract, negligence, infliction of emotional distress, and fraud.

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Cheeks, represented by attorney Richard Evans, contends that the matching winning numbers entitle him to the entire jackpot. Evans emphasized the broader implications of the case, raising concerns about the integrity and accountability of lottery operations and the adequacy of safeguards against potential errors.

"This lawsuit raises critical questions about the integrity and accountability of lottery operations and the safeguards - or lack thereof - against the type of errors that Powerball and the DC Lottery contend occurred in this case," Evans stated. The upcoming hearing, slated for February 23, promises to shed further light on this complex and contentious legal saga. Cheeks remains steadfast in his pursuit of what he believes is rightfully his, as the battle for the $340 million jackpot continues to unfold.

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(Inputs from agencies)

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