Ontario lottery players finally get their share of jackpot

Dec 13, 2010, 11:51 am (10 comments)

Canada 6/49

Fifth claimant pulled out of lawsuit early; won't get share

BARRIE, Ont. — Santa Claus is finally coming to town for four local families who've waited almost three years to see him.

Slawomir Kowalewski, a former employee of Powco Steel Co. who believed that he'd been duped out of his share of a $24,520,300 Lotto 6/49 jackpot on Jan. 16, 2008, is one of four recipients of this week's settlement of approximately $4 million from the Ontario Lottery Gaming Corp. (OLGC).

"I'm so happy for my family and my children," said Kowalewski last night. "But I'll tell you, money isn't everything. Health, happiness and family are what's important to me now."

Kowalewski's legal council, Marek Tufman of the Toronto firm Tufman and Associates, said the long legal wranglings were hard on his client.

"The mental anguish was awful," said Tufman from Toronto Sunday. "Many people have been traumatized — and there's been a huge degree of stress. Hopefully they can all put this behind them now."

Tufman expects the original $3,862,934 set aside by the OLGC on the direction of Justice Alfred J. Stong of the Superior Court of Justice for the five claimants has accrued a bit of interest during the past almost three years.

This increased amount will be shared by four of the original five claimants, including: Kowalewski, Stan Zondervan, Nikolaos Lymbertos and Michael Muir.

One claimant pulled out of the lawsuit early, perhaps feeling that he didn't have a strong enough claim, suggested Tufman.

Kowalewski, 44, a father of two, had believed his name would be included in the Powco employee's weekly lottery ticket purchase during his trip to Poland in 2008.

He'd arranged with the ticket purchaser to buy the tickets on his behalf while he was gone. However, upon his return to Canada, he found that his name and the green book containing proof that he'd always played — and paid — was missing.

Kowalewski's original statement of claim stated that his former co-worker had "discarded the green book" in order to make certain the true identities of those participating in the draw could not be known and ensure that Kowalewski's identity as being a continuous member of the pool could not be confirmed. An OPP probe into the original list given to the OLGC found two names covered over in whiteout.

In 2008, the investigation by the OLGC's new overseer, the Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), determined the case warranted being referred to the OPP, said OLGC media spokesperson, Tony Bitonti.

"This was an unusual case because it was one of the first that was investigated by AGCO," said Bitonti. "We're pleased there's now been a resolution to this case and it follows with our mandate; that the right prize is paid to the right people."

Now that their claim has finally been reached, Kowalewski and his wife Maria can expect their share before Christmas, said Tufman.

"We're going to decorate every room for Christmas," said Maria Kowalewski. "It's going to be a good Christmas."

Toronto Sun, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Abdi's avatarAbdi

I feel very sorry for the 5th claiment who pulled out of the lawsuite very early.he could have stayed on with the other claimants.Patient really pays when it comes to pending court cases.not to mention playing the lottery always and  loosing it always just as I do.

sully16's avatarsully16

I feel sorry for the fifth one also, but I am glad they got this resolved, on a another note be careful with lottery pools.

BaristaExpress's avatarBaristaExpress

Quote: Originally posted by sully16 on Dec 13, 2010

I feel sorry for the fifth one also, but I am glad they got this resolved, on a another note be careful with lottery pools.

"Ditto" about the fifth person as well! But let this serve as a big wake-up call to everyone who plays the lottery!

Don't belong to any lottery pool of any kind at anytime! And yes, that also means even family!

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by BaristaExpress on Dec 13, 2010

"Ditto" about the fifth person as well! But let this serve as a big wake-up call to everyone who plays the lottery!

Don't belong to any lottery pool of any kind at anytime! And yes, that also means even family!

I Agree!

Don't belong to any lottery pool of any kind at anytime! And yes, that also means even family!

And don't get upset  or have second thoughts if they win a jackpot and don't share their winnings with you.

jimmy4164

After reading the claim that someone had "discarded the green book" I was looking forward to the resolution of the issue, but didn't see one.  If this claim was true, who discarded it, and did that person suffer any consequences?

BaristaExpress's avatarBaristaExpress

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Dec 13, 2010

I Agree!

Don't belong to any lottery pool of any kind at anytime! And yes, that also means even family!

And don't get upset  or have second thoughts if they win a jackpot and don't share their winnings with you.

I can honestly say, I Have NEVER had one thought about belonging to or joining a lottery Pool with anyone (including family) at anytime in my life since I have been able to play the lottery!

So with that said, I couldn't ever get upset or have second thoughts about any money from their win being shared with me!

I don't pool my money with them, I don't get a share; plain and simple!

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

I play by myself, never in a lottery pool ........... for my family........... no promises to anyone!

less complicated !

buttercake's avatarbuttercake

The four claimants chances of getting hold of some of the jackpot money won finally became a reality, well done to all and what a wonderful xmas they'lll be having, and for the 5th claimant who pulled out early on, its a shame that this individual did so but God will surely bless this person in other prosperous ways

dphillips's avatardphillips

Although the Canadian lottery is tax free, the winners are even more blessed!  Now, how much will the lawyers receive for their services?  I hope they are not greedy lawyers who will attempt to take as much as they can.

GASMETERGUY

When I read the title to this article, my first thought was "Just another greedy person playing the judicial lotto in the hopes of cheating the true winners out of money."

After reading about the "little green book" and the fact it was missing, I changed my mind.  I am glad these people were able to join in the jackpot.  We all know why the little green book went missing.

End of comments
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