A CLUELESS man sued the lottery after he was denied his payout of $5.8million all because he missed a crucial requirement.
Connecticut resident Clarence Jackson struck out on the once-in-a-lifetime exchange when he missed the deadline to claim his multi-million dollar winnings.
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Jackson purchased a Quick Pick lottery ticket on October 13, 1996.
Unbeknownst to Jackson, he realized a year later that he was in possession of a $5.8million golden ticket.
“We never knew until the night it expired, two hours before the expiration,” Jackson told Good Morning America in 2016.
“It was a Sunday night. We thought we were supposed to take it to lottery headquarters and on Sunday night, the headquarters, they’re not open.”
More bad luck struck Jackson, who said the following day was Columbus Day, a holiday, so the lottery headquarters would be closed.
It wasn’t until Tuesday that Jackson was finally able to turn in the ticket, but by that time, lotto officials told him it was too late.
He was also unaware that he could claim the ticket by going to the store where he had purchased it before midnight.
After being denied his winning, Jackson and his legal team filed a lawsuit against the Connecticut Lottery Corporation in October 1996.
In the filing, Jackson claimed that extenuating circumstances had prevented him from claiming his ticket.
Jackson said the lottery ticket was with his dad, who was hospitalized with emphysema.
“He was in the hospital for most of that year [and] he came home a week before the expiration date,” Jackson said.
Despite his efforts, Jackson never received a dime.
A court sided with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, arguing that Jackson breached the contract’s terms stating winners have one full calendar year to receive their winnings.
Years later, Jackson told Good Morning America he could see a silver lining to not becoming a multi-millionaire more than 20 years ago.
“Back then, I must say, I would have been too young, and I would have blown all the money,” Jackson said.
“I was living a different lifestyle. I was trying to get into the music business back then, and I knew I’d be dead or broke now.”
