Edward St. John

Edward St. John regularly searched through the trash at a local convenience store for discarded winning tickets. One day in October of 2005, the 83-year-old got lucky; he found a discarded winning ticket worth $1 million. Kevin Donovan, 49, said he bought every "Hold 'em Poker" ticket in the store earlier in the day but accidentally threw out the winner. He protested the winnings before the Massachusetts Lottery Commission. The commission rejected the claim, ruling that a lottery ticket was like cash, requiring only possession to show ownership. Donovan died of a heart attack shortly afterward. His surviving children then challenged the commission ruling in court. Donovan's estate could have conceivably kept the case in court for so long that St. John might have died before it was resolved, so he agreed to give up $140,000 of the winnings. (Aug-25-06) [SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER]

Legal Help

If you have a similar problem and would like to be contacted by a lawyer at no cost or obligation, please click the link below.