Mega Millions mystery: 'Winner' in hiding, co-workers in limbo

[Doomsday101]

Fifteen Maryland McDonald's employees remain in financial limbo Tuesday as a co-worker who claimed to hold a $105 million Mega Millions lottery ticket stays in hiding amid suspicions she is either being greedy or perpetrating a cruel hoax.

Three winning tickets were bought for Friday's record-breaking $656 million Mega Millions drawing. While no one has come forward to claim the prize, Mirlande Wilson's boasts to a newspaper that she selected the ticket has caused ill-will at a McDonald's in Westport, a section in Baltimore, Md., where she works. Wilson bought tickets for a pool of co-workers, but told the New York Post that the winning ticket she claimed to have purchased was bought separately.

Lottery officials in Maryland, however, downplayed Wilson's claim to the golden ticket without proof.

"Until or unless someone walks through the door with that ticket, and it's verified as the winner, we don't have any lead on anybody," Maryland Lottery spokeswoman Carole Everett told FoxNews.com early Tuesday. "There is a winner somewhere, but we don't know who they are yet."

Attempts to reach Wilson, a Haitian immigrant living in Baltimore, have been unsuccessful. In a statement to The Associated Press, the franchise's owner, Birul Desai, said the Post's report was purely speculation and cautioned anyone from jumping to conclusions until the winning ticket is verified.

Wilson's co-workers are sizzling with anger over the confusion.
"She can't do this to us!” shift manager Suleiman Osman Husein told the New York Post. "We each paid $5. She took everybody’s money!"


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/03/no-mega-million-winners-identified-yet-mcdonalds-maryland-mystery-continues/#ixzz1r04tjKJI

[vta]

Dopes. It might seem to up the odds of doing this, but if you're self-appointed ticket buyer doesn't make copies of each ticket and pass them around, chances are you're going to get shafted if he/she holds the winning ticket. It's probably best just avoid the whole ugly scene.

[The30YardSlant]

Amazing how the lottery always maanges to select the lowest common denominators of society.

[Doomsday101]

Dopes. It might seem to up the odds of doing this, but if you're self-appointed ticket buyer doesn't make copies of each ticket and pass them around, chances are you're going to get shafted if he/she holds the winning ticket. It's probably best just avoid the whole ugly scene.

I agree. We have people who buy into the lottery where I work and the person buying always gives them a copy of the tickets so that they will be able to see if they won. Myself I don't play lottery

I do think if this woman in Maryland did this to her co workers she is a slug. A rich slug but a slug non the less.

[speedkilz88]

I agree. We have people who buy into the lottery where I work and the person buying always gives them a copy of the tickets so that they will be able to see if they won. Myself I don't play lottery

I do think if this woman in Maryland did this to her co workers she is a slug. A rich slug but a slug non the less.
She'll be a sued slug at that.

[Doomsday101]

She'll be a sued slug at that.

If there is no prove it how could they? She could say looked I bought these 5 tickets for our group and this winning ticket was the one I bought for just myself.

[Sam I Am]

If there is no prove it how could they? She could say looked I bought these 5 tickets for our group and this winning ticket was the one I bought for just myself.

It will be interesting. She will have the entire store against saying one thing while she says something else. The fact that she already admitted to being involved with the group purchasing will go against her.

If the co-workers can produce a xerox copy of the winning ticket on that list, she has already lost.

Either way, she will have to produce every ticket she purchased for the co-workers AND produce tickets that were not. If the co-workers say they bought 100 tickets. She will have to produce at least 105 tickets.

[vta]

If there is no prove it how could they? She could say looked I bought these 5 tickets for our group and this winning ticket was the one I bought for just myself.

Ironically this happened here in NJ just a few weeks ago and the people sued their co-worker successfully. I'm not sure it would guarantee the same outcome, but in this case they guy had to payout to his co-workers.

I'm not sure why someone playing in a pool would want to risk this sort of trouble in the first place. If I were going to bother, I'd buy my tickets on a separate day at a separate store, considering it can be pinpointed which store sold the winner.

People are just crap in so many cases. Like sharing 200 million is a big problem.

[Sam I Am]

Ironically this happened here in NJ just a few weeks ago and the people sued their co-worker successfully. I'm not sure it would guarantee the same outcome, but in this case they guy had to payout to his co-workers.

I'm not sure why someone playing in a pool would want to risk this sort of trouble in the first place. If I were going to bother, I'd buy my tickets on a separate day at a separate store, considering it can be pinpointed which store sold the winner.

People are just crap in so many cases. Like sharing 200 million is a big problem.

Their payout will be about $100M.

[vta]

Their payout will be about $100M.

$157.8 to be exact. Never the less, broken up between five people it's still more than any of those dopes would earn in a lifetime working at McDonalds.

[Doomsday101]

Ironically this happened here in NJ just a few weeks ago and the people sued their co-worker successfully. I'm not sure it would guarantee the same outcome, but in this case they guy had to payout to his co-workers.

I'm not sure why someone playing in a pool would want to risk this sort of trouble in the first place. If I were going to bother, I'd buy my tickets on a separate day at a separate store, considering it can be pinpointed which store sold the winner.

People are just crap in so many cases. Like sharing 200 million is a big problem.

I agree. I could not do that to friends or co workers. The guilt would be too much. Besides as you said sharing 200 million I'll be set up nicely for the rest of my life.

[Sam I Am]

$157.8 to be exact. Never the less, broken up between five people it's still more than any of those dopes would earn in a lifetime working at McDonalds.

Is that after state tax? I read a breakdown of it not long ago and after both state and federal tax, it was showing just over $100M. Well, unless the jackpot ended up being even higher than the estimated $640M. I believe it was around $150M after federal, but before state tax.

[Sam I Am]

I agree. I could not do that to friends or co workers. The guilt would be too much. Besides as you said sharing 200 million I'll be set up nicely for the rest of my life.

Yet you have no issue running red lights and getting away with not paying a ticket for doing so. :D ;)

[Doomsday101]

Yet you have no issue running red lights and getting away with not paying a ticket for doing so. :D ;)

City would blow the money on stupid things. Besides they are able to hijack tax payers when ever they feel like it.

[vta]

Is that after state tax? I read a breakdown of it not long ago and after both state and federal tax, it was showing just over $100M. Well, unless the jackpot ended up being even higher than the estimated $640M. I believe it was around $150M after federal, but before state tax.

The article I read said the total jackpot was 655 million and a lump sum pay-off after the tax rape was 157. I'm not sure it was entirely clear on which state, etc, etc.

Hell, even 100 million. I could split that five ways, dump off a good enough amount to family members and charity and still have enough to go on without a qualm. Or so I think. :) I haven't been there, but I've heard money makes people do crazy things.

[Manwiththeplan]

The lump sum after taxes was well over $300 million, but since there were 2 other winners, her share is around $157 million I guess. But as far as the situation goes, without a xerox copy of the winning tickets or some written agreement, the other McDonald's workers won't see a penny. But I'm guessing there is no proof since no one is mentioning it in the article.

[Rack Bauer]

I think it's funny how everyone assumes the lady is lying about buying her own tickets.

I used to be part of a office lottery pool, but I also always bought my own separate tickets. Pretty much everyone in the office bought their own tickets.

I'm sure there's some sort of way to check the reciept of the winning ticket to see if it was part of a batch of 100 bought at once, or if it were part of a batch of 5.

Either way, w/o proof I don't see how any of those McD's employees will ever see a penny.

[vta]

Either way, w/o proof I don't see how any of those McD's employees will ever see a penny.

They did in this case. (http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/union_county_jury_ruled_this_m.html)

No copies were made, but jury still found this guy guilty and awarded his co-workers with 'their share'.

Either way, it's flat out dumb to do it.

[CATCH17]

What were the winning numbers?

I want to make sure im checking the right numbers.

[speedkilz88]

I think it's funny how everyone assumes the lady is lying about buying her own tickets.

I used to be part of a office lottery pool, but I also always bought my own separate tickets. Pretty much everyone in the office bought their own tickets.

I'm sure there's some sort of way to check the reciept of the winning ticket to see if it was part of a batch of 100 bought at once, or if it were part of a batch of 5.

Either way, w/o proof I don't see how any of those McD's employees will ever see a penny.It's more likely she would have to show proof she bought them separately. She's already admitted that she bought tickets for the group so I think that would put the burden of proof on her.

[vta]

What were the winning numbers?

I want to make sure im checking the right numbers.

2-4-23-38-46 Mega Ball 23

[CATCH17]

2-4-23-38-46 Mega Ball 23

Alright cool.


I actually got the 2 & 4

:( what a tease

[kristie]

Alright cool.


I actually got the 2 & 4

:( what a tease

i know. :( :( :(

[Rack Bauer]

It's more likely she would have to show proof she bought them separately. She's already admitted that she bought tickets for the group so I think that would put the burden of proof on her.


Well I don't agree with that at all.

IMO the accusers should have to be the ones to show proof.


And Like I said, their should be some kind or record in the system showing if her tickets were bought in a batch of 5 or 100.

[ninja]

I think it's funny how everyone assumes the lady is lying about buying her own tickets.

I used to be part of a office lottery pool, but I also always bought my own separate tickets. Pretty much everyone in the office bought their own tickets.

I'm sure there's some sort of way to check the reciept of the winning ticket to see if it was part of a batch of 100 bought at once, or if it were part of a batch of 5.

Either way, w/o proof I don't see how any of those McD's employees will ever see a penny.

I think I remember hearing that the winning ticket sold in Balt. was a single ticket purchase and nothing else.

[speedkilz88]

Well I don't agree with that at all.

IMO the accusers should have to be the ones to show proof.


And Like I said, their should be some kind or record in the system showing if her tickets were bought in a batch of 5 or 100.By her own admittance they have proved that she bought their tickets, so now she has the burden to prove she bought the winning ticket separately and on her own.

[Future]

Amazing how the lottery always maanges to select the lowest common denominators of society.

$157.8 to be exact. Never the less, broken up between five people it's still more than any of those dopes would earn in a lifetime working at McDonalds.
Wow, really harsh and overly judgmental. Not every person who works at McDonald's is scum....

[vta]

Wow, really harsh and overly judgmental. Not every person who works at McDonald's is scum....

I'm pretty sure we're aware of that. We're commenting on a specific person, who's possibly stealing from her co-workers, not McDonalds.

[vta]

How it's done:


Firefighters donate Mega Millions winnings to ailing fellow fireman

Five Albuquerque Station Eight firefighters who won a $10,000 share of the Mega Millions jackpot last week have decided to donate an unspecified part of their winnings to fellow fireman Vince Cordova, who is suffering from a life-threatening tumor.

"We decided to get tickets ten minutes before the sales closed," said Capt. Jed Hyland told local news affiliate KOB. "I ran in shouting that we hit 5 of the 6 numbers."

After convincing their fellow firemen that it wasn't an April Fools' joke, Hyland and his four fellow winners (Steve Keffer, Paul McClure, Clinton Anderson and Si Do) decided to donate part of their winnings to the local firefighters Survival Fund. "Everybody at the station agreed that this would be a good opportunity," Hyland said.

Link (http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/firefighters-donate-mega-millions-winnings-ailing-fellow-fireman-183135668.html)

[hipfake08]

If there is no prove it how could they? She could say looked I bought these 5 tickets for our group and this winning ticket was the one I bought for just myself.

The cameras in the store where she bought it and the linked information from the database will tell. And any other ticket she says or said that was bought.

[Doomsday101]

The cameras in the store where she bought it and the linked information from the database will tell. And any other ticket she says or said that was bought.

She could have bought 21 tickets with the last 1 being hers instead of buying say 20 ticket and then have the clerk ring up the 1 just for for herself. I don't know.

I don't like how she is doing her co workers at all just not sure if they will get their cut and don't see this as some open shut case if it goes that far.

I think what would have made it simple is had they made copies of the tickets they shared in and given a copy to each buyer so they would know what their numbers were.

[BrAinPaiNt]

She could have bought 21 tickets with the last 1 being hers instead of buying say 20 ticket and then have the clerk ring up the 1 just for for herself. I don't know.

I don't like how she is doing her co workers at all just not sure if they will get their cut and don't see this as some open shut case if it goes that far.

I think what would have made it simple is had they made copies of the tickets they shared in and given a copy to each buyer so they would know what their numbers were.

With this happening now and some previous cases...one would think that those that wish to do a pool would learn a lesson and develop a system to prevent these types of things happening in the future. Whether that be making copies as you suggested or having the office members signing each ticket that is for the pool. Something they should come up with so it does not happen to pools in the future. This would also protect the person who really does buy the pool tickets but also buys one for themselves...it would protect both parties.

Because it would be crappy in either situation. If you bought the ticket for yourself and the office employees wind up winning a case and getting the money or if the person did buy it for the office employees but kept it themselves and the employees lose the case and get nothing.

When the parties agree to do the office pool and tickets situation it seems they are entering into some kind of contract (verbal or written) and it would seem they would want protection for both parties and a viable method of verifying the office tickets.

[Doomsday101]

With this happening now and some previous cases...one would think that those that wish to do a pool would learn a lesson and develop a system to prevent these types of things happening in the future. Whether that be making copies as you suggested or having the office members signing each ticket that is for the pool. Something they should come up with so it does not happen to pools in the future. This would also protect the person who really does buy the pool tickets but also buys one for themselves...it would protect both parties.

Because it would be crappy in either situation. If you bought the ticket for yourself and the office employees wind up winning a case and getting the money or if the person did buy it for the office employees but kept it themselves and the employees lose the case and get nothing.

I agree. People in my office who do this always make copies as I mentioned because it gives everyone their numbers so they will know if they won or not.

No doubt some can't live by the honor system

[Future]

I'm pretty sure we're aware of that. We're commenting on a specific person, who's possibly stealing from her co-workers, not McDonalds.
:laugh2: well that's not really the way it reads but alright.

I was just bustin anyways

[phillycard]

I'm pretty sure we're aware of that. We're commenting on a specific person, who's possibly stealing from her co-workers, not McDonalds.

30ydSlant actually said a general statement talking about people who play the lottery. I think it was a bit elitist myself.