Hollenquest alleges that they made the commitment on 6th July 2014, sealing it with a handshake. He says that they then set about buying tickets for draw games and scratchcards, up to the value of $50 each day, in order to chase the dream of a big win.
Nearly a year after the agreement was allegedly made in front of the men’s houses, Owens scooped the jackpot on the New York Lottery’s Win $1,000 A Week For Life game. He bought the scratchcard on the way to the bank on Saturday 27th June and set to work revealing the symbols in a nearby park, admitting to lottery officials that he almost fell off the bench when he discovered he was a winner.
Owens opted for the lump sum payment, leaving him with $498,429 after taxes and fees were paid from the $1 million prize. On picking up his six-figure cheque he said that his wife could now retire and that he intended use the winnings to enjoy himself now he didn’t need to worry about household bills.
Hollenquest asserts that, when questioned, Owens told him he would not be sharing the prize with his neighbour. He confirmed that the legal action will go ahead, with Hollenquest demanding $300,000 in damages from Owens. The barber and business consultant claims to have represented himself in court on four previous occasions, winning each case.
Owens was not available for comment when a New York Daily News reporter knocked on his door, with locals confirming that he had kept a low profile since the win.
The New York Lottery offers great draw games like Powerball, Mega Millions and New York Lotto to residents of the Empire State, as well as a range of instant win games. Anyone considering entering into a lottery syndicate anywhere in the world should ensure that the agreement is set out on paper and signed by all parties involved before any lottery tickets are bought in order to avoid a scenario similar to the one Hollenquest and Owens are currently experiencing!