US Man Sues Powerball After Being Told His Win Was an Error

Winning the lottery is a dream come true for many, but what happens when that dream turns into a nightmare?

One man in the US found himself in this exact situation when he was told he had won a whopping $340 million in the Powerball lottery, only to be told later that it was all a mistake. Naturally, what he did next can be excused. The US man decided to sue Powerball for the “error”. Here is how it went down.

US Man Sues Powerball After His Win Was an Error

John Cheeks, a US man, believed he had won $340 million in a lottery. However, he later discovered it was a mistake. He claims to have seen his numbers on the DC Lottery website after buying a Powerball ticket.

Now, he is suing both the lottery organizers and a website that published his numbers. He alleges that their mistake caused him to believe he had won.

In his lawsuit, John Cheeks alleges that his selected numbers, which held personal significance as they were a combination of family birthdays and other meaningful figures, appeared on the internet for three days. Cheeks described his reaction to the apparent win as reserved. He didn’t express excessive excitement but rather calmly informed a friend and took a photo as advised before going to bed. He mentioned that he only plays the lottery occasionally, particularly when the jackpot is high.

Did He Have the Wrong Numbers?

John Cheeks’ lawsuit alleges that the numbers displayed on the lottery website did not match the actual winning numbers drawn. He claims that the discrepancy occurred because a contractor for the lottery, Taoti Enterprises based in Washington, mistakenly posted incorrect numbers. This was then labeled as an error.

John Cheeks’ lawsuit states that when he attempted to claim his prize with the ticket, it was rejected. He encountered difficulties at the Washington office of the lottery and gaming prize center. An employee allegedly dismissed his claim, advising him to discard the ticket, and stating he wouldn’t be paid. Cheeks opted to store the ticket in a safe deposit box and sought legal assistance.

John Cheeks explained the delay in filing his case by citing his busy schedule, particularly his involvement in establishing a bank tailored for individuals who don’t qualify for conventional mortgages.

What Happened Next?

John Cheeks’ attorney, Richard Evans, expressed skepticism regarding the lottery organizers’ claim that a contractor made an error, stating he hasn’t seen evidence to support it. Evans pointed out that even if a mistake occurred, the question arises about how to address it. He cited a precedent in Iowa where a similar mistake by a contractor led to the lottery paying out the winnings.

The Multi-State Lottery Association, Powerball, Taoti Enterprises, and several government entities named in the lawsuit have been contacted for comment, according to 4NBC. Taoti Enterprises, which has managed the DC Lottery website since 2022 according to its own site, is among those approached.

What would you do if your Powerball win turned out to be an error?

You might also want to read: £122.000 Bank Error: How One Man Got to “Keep” the Money