Dispute over $118M jackpot carries on

Updated: July 13, 2012 6:19AM

The disputed $118 million Mega Millions jackpot, pitting former coworkers at a Chicago Heights bakery against each other, was continued in court Monday.

The next court date is scheduled for June 25 before Judge Kathleen Pantle at the Daley Center in Chicago, said Erron Fisher, who is representing two of the four plaintiffs who filed lawsuits against 12 former coworkers

A hold has been placed on the money because there’s a dispute regarding the proceeds, Fisher said.

On Monday, the defense tried to present a motion for partial release of the funds, but that was continued, he said. There are three separate suits filed in the case, and those may be consolidated, he said. If that happens by June 25, a schedule for briefings is likely, he said.

The winning ticket was presented to the lottery by the group of 12 last week with the prize claim form, he said. His clients’ names were left off the form, he said.

The dispute hinges around the process in which money was collected for the May 4 Mega Millions drawing. The group of coworkers typically chipped in money for each drawing. They won $9 on May 1 and that was re-invested for May 4. However, when more money was collected for the May 4 drawing, four workers who had contributed for the May 1 drawing were not asked to chip in. They argue that since their money was used to buy the tickets that won money on May 1 and was re-invested, they each are entitled to an equal share of the prize.

“These are men who work 12-hour shifts so their families can eat,” Fisher said. “They want what they thought was theirs.”

Alsip winner to split pot

Nobody has stepped forward at the Jewel Food Store, 12001 S. Pulaski Road, in Alsip, to claim his or her share of a Lotto jackpot worth $3.75 million.

Nine winning tickets were sold for Saturday night’s drawing. Included was one at a Marathon service station at 7858 S. Western Ave., Chicago.

At Jewel, assistant service manager Julie Karasoff said Monday that the winning ticket was not a big topic. But at least one man called the store asking who won, she said.

“Nobody is talking about it. Nobody knows who won. We sell a lot of lottery tickets here,” she said.

One thing she does know: No employees won the prize.

“If we did win, we wouldn’t be here,” Karasoff said with a laugh.

With nine tickets sold with the winning numbers — 6, 12, 23, 35, 42 and 51 — each winner will receive $416,666.50, according to illinoislottery.com.

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