Elderly man, claiming he was cheated of lottery prize, wins settlement

Mar 18, 2005, 9:27 am (4 comments)

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation

An elderly man who claims he was swindled out of a winning lottery ticket has won a court settlement with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.

But under the terms of the agreement, Bob Edmonds isn't allowed to discuss the details. Edmonds spent years fighting the lawsuit against the OLGC, alleging he was robbed of the $250,000 he won with an Encore ticket, validated at Coby Variety in July 2001.

He had already settled a suit with Phyllis and Scott LaPlante - the prize claimants and owners of the Coboconk, Ont., variety store. The LaPlantes settled the suit for $150,000 but have admitted no wrongdoing.

But Edmonds was still fighting for an additional $100,000 to make up the difference. He claimed the lottery corporation was "vicariously liable" for the actions of its retailers.

He also accused the OLGC of failing to properly investigate when vendor Phyllis LaPlante claimed what he said was his $250,000 prize.

The jury was to begin deliberations Thursday, following the charge by Justice Harriet Sachs, but the 11th-hour settlement came through instead.

Lottery corporation lawyer Jacqueline Wall had said the company did launch an appropriate investigation, and was reasonable to conclude the winning ticket belonged to LaPlante.

And in court, Wall said there was no evidence that Edmonds raised his concerns about the $250,000 ticket until after the winnings were paid out.

Phone records showed a call from Edmonds' home to the lottery corporation before the $250,000 prize was claimed. The court heard there was no record of a conversation having taken place.

Legal teams for both sides refused to comment on the verdict Thursday.

CP

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CASH Only

So we don't know what he settled for?

LotteryBuddy

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation's actions are despicable.  They refused to answer reporters' questions on what happened.  Instead of being open and accountable to the public, they are very secretive of what all those employees with six-figure salaries are doing.

The Canadian lotteries do not understand the concept of "conflict of interest" and negligently let ticket sellers and other insiders win their own lotteries.  All employees involved with the draw are allowed to play so they all have one eye on their own tickets while doing the supposedly random draw.

JimmySand9

Employees are allowed to play? That would never go over here in the U.S. But I ought to think about applying for a job there. That's the only hang-up I have about working for a lottery, not being able to play.

CASH Only

But at least Canada doesn't tax lottery prizes.

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