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| News | Article Detail |
By Peggy Fikac |
| San Antonio Express-News |
| Tuesday, December 1, 2009 |
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AUSTIN — Some people saw a little irony in the Texas Lottery Commissions recent step toward potentially adding Powerball to the states gambling lineup.
Watching from the audience was a man who, according to prosecutors, was cheated of his million-dollar jackpot by a store clerk when he played Texas current multi-state game, Mega Millions.
Months after the ticket was cashed in, the clerk has been indicted and is considered a fugitive. Willis Willis, described by prosecutors as the rightful owner of jackpot proceeds he was never able to claim, has said hes broke. And the Lottery Commissions general counsel (according to Willis lawyers) has told him the clerk accused of fraudulently claiming the prize is considered the winner for agency purposes because he had the ticket.
Its a heck of a prelude to launching a new game — if thats what the commission decides to do after proposed Powerball rules are considered for public comment.
“There is no doubt that you know by now that the eyes of Texas, the eyes of the nation, the eyes of the world are on this case,” Willis lawyer, Randy Howry, told commissioners, urging them to at least say publicly whether they agreed with their general counsels position. He describes the clerk as an agent of the lottery.
The commissioners, appointed by GOP Gov. Rick Perry, didnt publicly address the case, though I saw at least one of them talk to Willis during a break in the meeting.
Willis said commissioners were pleasant in conversation, but the 67-year-old Grand Prairie man wants the money he says he needs to pay medical bills and have dental work done. Hed at least like his concerns to be acknowledged publicly.
“I’ve been treated like I didnt exist,” said Willis, who sat for hours in the commission meeting so that his lawyer could speak for a few minutes on his behalf.
The commission spokesman declined comment, citing the prospect of litigation by Willis. The state is generally immune from lawsuits, but there are exceptions or Willis could seek legislative permission to sue.
All isnt lost for him. Because prosecutors believe hes the rightful owner, theyve made a motion to have $365,000 recovered from bank accounts returned to him. There could be a hearing on that by the end of the year.
As for the rest of the $750,006 the jackpot was worth after taxes? Howry suggests the Lottery Commission make Willis whole.
The commission, if it were talking about the case, likely could cite its rationale against that. Instead, its talking about expanding the games people can play.
“Sitting there, listening to them talk about expansion ... I looked at it like this: ‘Well, heck, this person stole from me that worked for you, but youre telling me, ‘Tough luck,” Willis said. “At the end ... it was just like I was never there.”
Travis County Assistant District Attorney Patricia H. Robertson, whos prosecuting the case against the clerk, will be moving to the newly created position of environmental crimes prosecutor. Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg created that position in cooperation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which is providing the funding. The new position is meant to promote consistency in prosecuting environmental cases throughout the state and shorten the time for indictment and disposition of such cases.
First day of filing for the March primary is Thursday, and even though some people like to let the anticipation build, Perry isnt one of them. Hes expected to file for re-election the first day its possible to do so.
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison will be talking about education in Houston and San Antonio today as she takes aim at Perry in the GOP primary for governor. In Houston, shell be at Scarborough High School. In San Antonio, shes visiting the Young Womens Leadership Academy. |
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