Mega Thousands and thousands jackpot winner Faramarz Lahijani claims he bought each $394M prize tickets — however misplaced second one as sues California lottery
He’s hoping to earn double.
A Mega Thousands and thousands participant alleges he’s the rightful proprietor of the 2 jackpot-winning tickets offered on the identical California fuel station final 12 months, however misplaced the second ticket – as time to say the award has expired.
Faramarz Lahijani publically stepped ahead in June to say his half of the $394 million prize for the drawing which was held on Dec. 8, 2023.
The life-changing tickets have been offered at a Chevron fuel station on Ventura Blvd in Encino, Calif. and price $197.5 million every.
The second ticketholder was given a full 12 months from the drawing — till Dec. 7 — to say the reward.
Final week, Lahijani filed a lawsuit towards the California Lottery claiming he had bought the mysterious lacking ticket however had misplaced it.
In a breach of contract go well with filed in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom on Dec. 6, hours earlier than the expiration date, Lahijani argued he’s the rightful winner of the remaining $197.5 million.
“By advantage of his having well timed submitted the primary matching ticket, plaintiff is entitled to everything of the jackpot,” in response to the go well with obtained by the Patch.
Lahijani alleges that his kids picked the successful numbers – 21, 26, 53, 66, 70, and gold Mega Ball 13 – have been picked by his kids and he has been utilizing the digits for many years.
The lottery participant had filed a declare with the state on Dec. 4.
The Put up has reached out to the California Lottery.
Lahijani declined to publicly remark when claiming the primary ticket prize in June. Lottery officers gave a number of causes how the identical numbers might’ve been performed on the identical retailer.
“Whereas that is extremely unsual and fascinating, it’s not unprecedented,” mentioned Carolyn Becker, California Lottery spokesperson mentioned final 12 months. “There are any variety of explanations; maybe one individual needed to attempt their luck on two totally different rows for no matter purpose, or perhaps a few buddies needed to attempt their possibilities with the identical precise numbers. We gained’t know precisely how this occurred till the prize is claimed.”
Regardless of the unknown final result of the continued lawsuit, the Encino Chevron nonetheless made historical past.
The ultra-lucky fuel station was awarded a file bonus of over $1.9 million, the most important ever given to a single retailer in California Lottery historical past.
Within the Golden State, retailers that promote a ticket value over $1 million earn a bonus of half of 1 p.c of the prize worth as much as one million {dollars}.
Chevron earned a bonus of $987,500 from every successful ticket offered totaling to $1.975 million.
Mega Million gamers have an opportunity to finish the 12 months on a excessive observe as Friday’s drawing is estimated to be value $670 million after no jackpot winner Tuesday evening.
Tuesday’s successful numbers – 12, 14, 26, 48, 52 and the gold Mega ball of 21 – value $619 million would’ve been the tenth largest jackpot within the sport’s historical past.
