TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — A Florida man who thought he won $15 million is suing the state lottery after finding out he hadn't.
James Currey filed a complaint Oct. 2 in Leon County Circuit Court against the Florida Department of The Lottery, alleging violation of Florida's Public Records Act, negligent infliction of emotional distress and other claims.
According to his complaint, Currey purchased a $30-300X THE CASH ticket on Nov. 15, 2022. He claims that when he scratched off the upper section of the ticket, he believed he had a winning ticket and claims the ticket revealed a $15,000 prize available for the perceived match on the ticket.
He further claims he presented the winning ticket to Florida Lottery personnel who confirmed he won and even posed with Florida Lottery agents and staff for photos. Currey alleges that in violation of the Florida Lottery's Policies and Procedures, his ticket was never scanned into the defendant's Altura terminal system or Fortune system.
He claims he was later advised by the Florida Lottery Main Officer that he did not possess the winning ticket.
Currey seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by John Zielinkski, Richard Smith and Pausha Taghdiri of NeJame Law PA in Orlando.
Leon County Circuit Court case number 2023-CA-002345