CLEVELAND — A judge has ordered the Ohio Lottery Commission to set aside $2.8 million of a $99 million jackpot in case a Youngstown man wins a lawsuit for what he claims is his rightful share of the money.
The order came from Judge Eileen T. Gallagher of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in a lawsuit by Edward Hairston, 39, of Youngstown, who said a pool that included his co-workers purchased the winning Mega Millions ticket last month while he was on sick leave.
Hairston claimed he’s entitled to a share of the prize equal to those of his 22 fellow lottery players, most of them employed with him at the KraftMaid cabinet factory in Jefferson.
Hairston sued his fellow pool members and the Cleveland-based commission.
Hairston said he regularly played the lottery for several years in the pool, but was denied his share of the jackpot because he hadn’t been able to chip in his dues while he was on sick leave. Hairston maintained the pool’s past practice was to make payments on behalf of members on sick leave.
For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com
Comments
This is whats wrong with America.
Mr. Hairston is greedy and selfish. You didn't pay into the pool - you get none of the lottery winnings. He better hope I'm not on his jury. Frivolous lawsuit at it's best.
Hang in there Ed, Claim what is rightfully yours. Ask any of the other 22 players how they would feel to be left out? Glad you had a woman judge!
Really?? Going to sue when you didn't put the money in? What a waste of everyone's time.
Really?? $99 million isn't enough to cut a portion for the guy on sick leave who chipped in every other week?
"Hairston said he regularly played the lottery for several years in the pool, but was denied his share of the jackpot because he hadn’t been able to chip in his dues while he was on sick leave."
Who was the hungry attorney that took the case ?
http://djf.typepad.com/.a/6a0112793f1...
I agree with Hairston. Believe if he had always paid in, the norm was to cover employees out when on vacation or sick leave, they should give him his share. Really should have been a no brainer for the group and included him in his share. We did that at work, although our jackpot was not as large. It was a matter of principle. Don't believe he's the greedy one, the other winners are. Someone needs to step up to the plate and say we should share. What's it costing the other winners?
The only surprise here is that Betras isn't Hairston's attorney.
@unionforever, You could not have said that no better.