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Cheated Winner Wants Texas Lottery To Pay

David Ingram

Story Created: Oct 28, 2009 at 6:30 AM CST

Story Updated: Oct 29, 2009 at 11:19 AM CST

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A maintenance worker who says he is the rightful winner of a Texas Lottery jackpot wants the agency to pay him.

A clerk at a Grand Prairie store is sought on allegations he cashed the Mega Millions ticket presented in May by Willis Willis.

Authorities believe Pankaj Joshi, now indicted on a charge of claiming a lottery prize by fraud, fled to Nepal after about $750,000 was transferred to him.

About half of the money has been recovered from U.S. banks. Prosecutor Patricia Robertson says that money is being held and some will be returned to the victim.

The Houston Chronicle reports an attorney for Willis plans to meet with the lottery's general counsel next week.

Willis said Tuesday he'd "just like to get the money that's due me."

A commission spokesman declined comment.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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