A Metro Vancouver man has filed a lawsuit claiming the $50 million lottery jackpot paid out last week actually belongs to him.
The winners of the March 2014 draw were a mystery for 21 months before the B.C. Lottery Corporation handed the prize to Langley residents Friedrich Mayrhofer and his family last Tuesday.
Officials said the reason for the delay was that the Mayrhofers had tried to claim the prize anonymously through a trust, something the BCLC ultimately determined couldn’t be allowed for the sake of transparency.
But now, a Maple Ridge man is alleging the prize is rightfully his, and he’s launched a lawsuit against the lottery corporation in B.C. Supreme Court to get it.
George Wilson-Tagoe said he lost his ticket for that March 2014 draw shortly after purchasing it, possibly by throwing it into the trash by accident, but had scanned the numbers first.
When the winning numbers were drawn, Wilson-Tagoe claims he recognized them immediately.
He said he phoned the BCLC to explain his situation, told them when and where he bought the ticket, but was told it was a loser – and he’s been suspicious ever since.
“Certain employees of BCLC and their cohorts conspired to steal his winning Lotto Max ticket worth $50,000,000 and 21 months of interest,” his suit claims.
Wilson-Tagoe also said he bought the ticket at a gas station. According to lottery officials, the winning ticket claimed by the Mayrhofers was purchased at a Shoppers Drug Mart.
The BCLC said it will be filing a statement of defence in the case, and insists the Mayrhofers only received their cheque following a lengthy and exhaustive investigation.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Penny Daflos
