Man Files Lawsuit Claiming Ownership of Missing $197M in $394M Mega Millions Jackpot!
A California man is suing the state lottery, saying he is owed $197 million from a $394 million Mega Millions jackpot. Faramarz Lahijani, who already claimed one of the winning tickets, believes he bought the second ticket too but lost it.
The jackpot, drawn in December 2023, had two winning tickets, both sold at the same gas station in Encino.
Lahijani claimed his half of the prize in June 2024, just before the ticket’s expiration. He now says he bought both tickets but misplaced one and couldn’t find it before it expired.
Lahijani insists that his children picked the numbers he used to win: 21, 26, 53, 66, 70, and Mega Ball 13. He says he has been using those numbers for years.
However, lottery officials explained that while it’s possible for two tickets with the same numbers to be purchased separately, there’s no concrete proof linking Lahijani to the second ticket.
Now, Lahijani is suing the California Lottery for breach of contract. He wants the other half of the jackpot—$197 million—and argues that he has enough evidence to show he bought both tickets.
Carolyn Becker, a spokesperson for the California Lottery, said they cannot comment on active lawsuits. She emphasized protecting the integrity of the lottery’s processes.
If the actual winner of the second ticket doesn’t come forward, the deadline to claim the prize has already passed. Winners can still mail their tickets as long as the envelope is postmarked before the claim deadline.
Winning tickets mailed to the lottery headquarters in Sacramento could take days to arrive and weeks to process. The California Lottery handles over 10,000 claims every month, which adds to the delay.
If no one claims the prize or Lahijani’s lawsuit is dismissed, the unclaimed $197 million will go to public education, as per state rules. The California Lottery contributed more than $2 billion to schools during the 2023-24 fiscal year.
This case highlights how high-stakes lottery wins can lead to unexpected legal battles. Whether Lahijani’s claims hold up in court or the money is redirected to education remains to be seen.
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