To the Point
Trust and Lottery Tickets
Four New Jersey construction workers relied on their friend to buy Mega Millions lottery tickets with pooled money. In November of 2009, Americo Lopes quit his job, saying he needed foot surgery. It wasn't until months later that the others discovered he'd won $38.5 million — and kept it all for himself.
By Warren Olney • • 1 min readFour New Jersey construction workers relied on their friend to buy Mega Millions lottery tickets with pooled money. In November of 2009, Americo Lopes quit his job, saying he needed foot surgery. It wasn't until months later that the others discovered he'd won $38.5 million — and kept it all for himself. After taxes, Lopes got $17.5 million in winnings. Yesterday, a jury decided he'll have to split it with the four former friends. James Barron has been following the story for the New York Times.
