LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A judge dismissed a man's lawsuit in which he alleged he was entitled to a $63 million SuperLotto Plus jackpot that state lottery officials said was never claimed by the actual winning party.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos issued a tentative ruling prior to Thursday's hearing in which she said she was leaning toward granting judgment in favor of the state of California and the Lottery Commission and against plaintiff Brandy Milliner. However, after hearing arguments she said she wanted to ponder the issues further,
Later in the day Thursday, she issued her final order dismissing Milliner's case.
In its motion for dismissal, the California Attorney General's Office used declarations and exhibits. Deputy Attorney General Neil Houston stated in his court papers that plaintiff Milliner's ticket was bought miles away at another 7-Eleven store.
The $63 million ticket -- the largest California Lottery jackpot ever forfeited -- was purchased for the Aug. 8, 2015, drawing at the 7-Eleven store at 20871 Lassen St. in Chatsworth. If the winner had come forward and taken a lump sum payment, he or she would have received $39.9 million before taxes. The winning numbers were 46, 1, 33, 30, 16 plus Mega number 24.
By examining the paper stock on Milliner's ticket, Lottery officials determined that he bought it at a 7-Eleven store at 4051 Leimert Blvd. in Los Angeles, according to Houston's court papers.
Further examination showed that Milliner purchased his ticket on July 10, 2015, Houston's court papers state. Although Milliner claimed he bought the ticket at the Chatsworth 7-Eleven while in the area to pick up a friend from work the afternoon of Aug, 8, 2015, the Lottery records show the real winning ticket was actually bought at that store the morning of the day before, according to Houston's court papers.
The previous largest jackpot to ever go unclaimed was $28.5 million for a SuperLotto Plus ticket sold in Alameda County in 2003.
Photo: Getty Images