AUSTIN, Texas – Attorneys for a 67-year-old man say the Texas Lottery has told him they consider a store clerk the rightful winner of a $1 million jackpot.
Willis Willis’ lawyer Sean E. Breen said commission attorneys told the Grand Prairie man Monday they consider the clerk who was indicted for allegedly fraudulently claiming Willis’ prize to be the winner.
Breen said the commission’s general counsel, Kim Kiplin, and two other lawyers refused to answer any of their questions.
Commission spokesman Bobby Heith declined to comment.
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 has said that money is being held and some could be returned to Willis .
