Court Rejects Mega Millions Co-Winner’s Bid for Entire $394 Million Jackpot

Background of the Jackpot Dispute

Faramarz Lahijani became known in 2023 when he claimed half of a $394 million Mega Millions jackpot. He alleged that he had purchased two identical winning tickets but lost one, and thus should receive the full prize amount rather than just the $197.5 million awarded to him. However, this claim was challenged in court.

Lahijani’s Explanation and Legal Action

Lahijani stated that he bought two Mega Millions tickets with the same numbers at a Chevron gas station for the December 8, 2023, drawing. After losing one ticket, he claimed only half the prize initially. In June 2024, he came forward to request the full amount, and as the expiration date of the second ticket approached in December 2024, he filed a lawsuit against the California Lottery to claim the remaining half. He argued that since he had timely submitted one winning ticket and purchased both tickets, he should be recognized as the sole winner entitled to the entire jackpot. He emphasized that his legal action was a precaution to protect his rights to the prize.

Lottery’s Response and Legal Outcome

The California Lottery legally contested the lawsuit, maintaining that without possession of a valid physical ticket, the full jackpot could not be awarded. Judge Rolf M. Treu of the Los Angeles Superior Court sided with the lottery, dismissing Lahijani’s case. The ruling highlighted that both the official Mega Millions game rules and California law require physical possession of a winning ticket to claim a prize.

Additional Complications and Conclusion

Complicating matters, another individual named Cheryl Wilson claimed to possess the lost ticket, alleging it had been stolen from her by a former employer. The judge also dismissed her claim due to the lack of the physical ticket and expressed his desire to avoid turning the case into a dispute based on allegations of theft or fraud. The California Lottery confirmed that the two winning tickets were purchased in separate transactions, suggesting that two different people independently bought tickets with the same numbers.

With the court’s decision, the unclaimed half of the $394 million jackpot will remain undistributed, leaving the exact circumstances of the second ticket unknown and the full story unresolved.