DC man sues the lottery after incorrect numbers posted on website would have won him $340 million

Comment #65

Artist77 — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:34:25 GMT

When the case is dismissed, his attorney will probably have to sue for his fees.

The complaint puts forward zero evidence to survive a motion to dismiss. The complaint relies solely on the wrong numbers being posted to prove fraud, etc. They even ask for punitive damages. Lol lol

Comment #64

Bleudog101 — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 13:57:29 GMT

Won't this case cost him thousands? Can't see any Attorney taking this case like in the ads and say your are responsible for fees if we win or settle your case. Yeah, they'll settle when the case gets dismissed.

Comment #63

Artist77 — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 22:49:10 GMT

Most up to date info on this case. Looks like he was granted his request to file an amended complaint which is pretty much routinely granted. Powerball filed a motion to dismiss in January and it looks like this motion is on the calendar for May. So the case should be dismissed at that point. I am sure he will appeal to the appellate court as before.

There are pdfs for all the pleadings.

https://portal-dc.tylertech.cloud/app/RegisterOfActions/#/5A03F66E68C8F904ADEA594C890F08F24114A78DA2D... [ More ]

Comment #62

Artist77 — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 17:11:20 GMT

Exactly.

Comment #61

Artist77 — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 17:10:02 GMT

While anyone has a right to file a legal action, he does not ever seem to follow through and participate in the process. You have to give notice to the person you are suing so his libel case was dismissed. With the builders case, he refused to turn over alleged documents and witness lists which are part of the pretrial discovery process. So case dismissed.

This is all too bizarre and ridiculous. The DC lottery contractor was sloppy but that is not gross negligence.

Comment #60

LottoBux — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 17:02:08 GMT

I think not.

Why, just because he copied the winning numbers and played them before the draw?

Scammer, true and true

Comment #59

Bleudog101 — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 16:39:17 GMT

Thanks for posting this...somehow this page eluded me.

If this clown keeps waving attention flags maybe the nearby IRS will look into his taxes (seriously doubt that).

Comment #58

JADELottery — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 15:37:45 GMT

https://dclottery.com/terms-and-conditions-use

Comment #57

PrisonerSix — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 15:18:41 GMT

Same here. They just usually ask me if I want them back.

These days I check my tickets with my lottery's app so I don't have to worry about crooked clerks.

Comment #56

Artist77 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 14:35:12 GMT

Correction. He sued a builder for alleged bid rigging. He refused to turn over his alleged proof of conspiracy, death threats, alleged witnesses, etc. to the defendants. He also accused most of the DC government of fraud. Dismissed.

Comment #55

Artist77 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 14:12:32 GMT

Did some research. This appears to be the same guy, I think. https://ballotpedia.org/John_C._Cheeks

He also sued a woman for libel and failed to serve her. Dismissed. Also sued a builder when they wanted payment. Looks like he was ordered to pay.

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-dc-circuit/1940773.html

Look what he alleged. Sound familiar ???? Conspiracy??? Racketeering

Comment #54

Artist77 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 13:15:38 GMT

He won't prevail. Can you imagine if he did and you had hundreds of thousands of people monitoring lottery websites for temporary errors? Non official lottery related sites like LP could be brought in as well.

Not happening. Just a petty crook. He definitely thought through several levels of the scam but not far enough.

And why did his friend allegedly advise to take a photo of the numbers??? We all would be checking various websites or online scanning. Who takes photos of websites unles... [ More ]

Comment #53

Bleudog101 — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 12:51:55 GMT

Good Morning America just had this nonsense on today. A nice human interest story would have been more appealing.

If he prevails in this case which he shouldn't, it says a lot for the justice system in a bad way.

Comment #52

KY Floyd — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 06:05:38 GMT

It looks to me Mr. Cheeks bought the ticket after the incorrect numbers were posted.

I had noticed that, too. It seems extremely likely that he happened to have noticed the error and deliberately bought a ticket using the numbers from the website instead of a set of numbers he chose through some honest method. I'm split about evenly between the possibility that he's one of the clowns that think the game is rigged and the (fake) winning numbers were accidentally posted early, and the possibi... [ More ]

Comment #51

LckyLary — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 04:24:08 GMT

it is from the Lucky For Life drawing.

Comment #50

LckyLary — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 04:22:02 GMT

In case it was not pointed out, the results of the Lucky For Life draw game were posted on the POWERBALL information page, with the LFL bonus ball first in yellow and the Powerball spot BLANK so I don't by the test excuse...someone over there goofed and put the results from a different game. That being said, it IS possible he used the LFL numbers as his Powerball picks and thought they hit.

Comment #49

Artist77 — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 16:49:39 GMT

Different scenario so no real on point precedent. In the other situation, the wrong numbers were posted after the drawing date and were complete in appearance.

Mr. Cheeks bought a lottery ticket when he saw early numbers posted prior to the drawing. He tried to pull a fast one. And it was clear the numbers were off since they were not in their normal format and incomplete on the website.

Comment #48

welington — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 16:34:34 GMT

This should interesting since other states set precedent when wrong numbers appear and they paid out lower tier prizes. If lower tier can get paid from errors, this man may have a long shot case.

Comment #47

MoneyMay47 — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 16:10:14 GMT

The lottery wrong. The man tickets is the same number they called out. Give him that man his money. The lottery is a scam

Comment #46

Lotterologist — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:43:34 GMT

I don't believe that Mr. Cheeks suffered racism in THIS matter, but i'm sure he's suffered racism countless times.

I only mentioned racism because there are many racists working in law, which I was made aware of by some of the comments made on this site.

Comment #45

Lotterologist — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:31:44 GMT

Actually, I was referring to racist comments made by someone on this website.

It doesn't matter whether i'm from California or Mississippi, you can find racists working in law everywhere.

Comment #44

Artist77 — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 11:23:38 GMT

I started playing when I first joined LP. Oh the conspiracy where I know they prevent me from winning every day. Oh the emotional distress after I bought that 30 room mansion and red Ferrari that I can no longer afford. I know I see my numbers on the lottery website for a split second and then they change.

Comment #43

Bleudog101 — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 08:15:50 GMT

Just played Mega Millions on-line. Should I hire an Attorney if the #'s don't come in

Comment #42

Brock Lee — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 03:36:55 GMT

throw me a million too. i, uh... feel wronged.

Comment #41

play4shekels — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 00:23:56 GMT

Ahh...throw the guy a million. Rules, schmules! They can afford it now with high interest rates and the overinflated jackpots only paying 47% of face value -instead of 60% plus not too long ago.....

Comment #40

Artist77 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 23:15:12 GMT

Thanks Todd. For some reason I thought this was an ad.

So...drawing on 1-7-23 and he purchased his ticket on 1-6-23.

This screenshot was from 1-8-23 and this was what made him think he won pb??? Even more ridiculous. The first set is missing a multiplier and has a number highlighted first vs at the end where the pb bonus number would normally be. I would have thought at first glance it was numbers from a different type of drawing like a pick 6 and some mix up as well. And the correct pb

Comment #39

Todd — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 22:00:45 GMT

Check the photos in the above story. I included the screenshot he took as well as the original ticket.

Comment #38

Artist77 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 21:22:01 GMT

Exactly.

This story has been picked up by a ridiculous number of major news outlets. I guess because his claim is so stupid.

I read in one story that he is alleging a conspiracy and didn't check his ticket right away since he had spent an exhausting day with his accountant (prior to checking his ticket). Lol lol. Too many colorful made up details.

Comment #37

sully16 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 18:39:07 GMT

I like how the clerk told him to throw away his ticket ( multiple times) in 40 years I never had a clerk tell me to throw away my tickets, then he says he ran right home and put the ticket in his safe.

Sounds like he's trying to be convincing. Naaaaa. Not buying his story.

Comment #36

Artist77 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 18:16:41 GMT

Mr. Cheeks spent many months on the internal admin process in the DC lottery before filing. This tells me me they likely told him to go away.

How did he know those numbers were there when he checked them and then no longer there? I mean did he screenshot them or write them down?

Since he did not know how long those wrongly posted numbers would be there, I bet he bought all 26 tickets the same day. Single tickets with an extra set thrown in.

So many holes in his story.

Comment #35

cottoneyedjoe — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 18:00:40 GMT

Who has been racist toward Mr. Cheeks? Are you from California

Comment #34

cottoneyedjoe — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 17:59:03 GMT

Oh I get it now. That makes it so much worse. I wonder if there is store footage of him buying that 5-number combo with every single powerball.

Comment #33

Artist77 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 17:07:02 GMT

LP has the best lunchtime reading.

Mr. Butt Cheeks goes to Washington. OR

MR. Dirty Deeds goes to Washington.

Comment #32

Brock Lee — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 16:54:40 GMT

good idea. cheeks can tack racism on his frivolous lawsuit. i bet people at the lottery call him butt cheeks behind his back too, now he can toss in emotional distress.

Comment #31

Loslos112 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:04:53 GMT

Welp let's play 350 Night Drawing DC

Comment #30

Lotterologist — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:53:11 GMT

Some of the most RACIST laws were the Fugitive Slave Act, the Indian Removal Act, and the Chinese Exclusion Act, and many RACISTS work in law to this day.

Comment #29

Lotterologist — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:22:36 GMT

Can anyone give an example of a sucker without a scammer?

I didn't think so.

Those who work in law don't want to admit that.

As a friend of mine once said, The only difference between a rich crook and a poor crook is that the rich crook steals legally and the poor crook steals illegally.

Honest people with integrity recognize that.

Comment #28

Lotterologist — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 05:48:06 GMT

Experts say the lottery is a sucker's bet .

You can't have a sucker without a scammer .

That is the reality.

Comment #27

lakerben — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 03:10:35 GMT

What a coincidence

Comment #26

Artist77 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 01:19:51 GMT

And the bonus pb # was supposedly blank so how could he think he won. Lol

Comment #25

Artist77 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 01:15:59 GMT

Lottery Liability still exists with contractors and subcontractors. These people are authorized agents and reps of the lottery.

Comment #24

Justing618 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:33:24 GMT

I find it odd that state lottery's are subcontracting there work. It seems to me there doing this to not be held liable if things happen or if cheating is going on. I always looked at lottery as a game. But now I look at is a buisness and there's alot of money to be made from lotterys. I also find it odd there posting the wrong numbers or practice numbers as people are saying in the comments. I mean how hard is it. I'm sure this guy will not be payed. But I did see in his interview he went to lo... [ More ]

Comment #23

cottoneyedjoe — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:29:08 GMT

I always check my PB and MM on the official websites. And if I ever won the jackpot I'd be checking every single website to make sure. It doesn't ring true that he just saw the numbers posted on the DC website only and declared victory.

Comment #22

Artist77 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 23:54:30 GMT

Had he worked for the lottery and engaged in criminal conduct and convicted, they could ban him from taking a job in any lottery related field and bar him from lottery playing probably.

The DC lottery will simply keep Mr. Cheeks on an internal private caution list when he cashes in any ticket.

Comment #21

Bleudog101 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 23:34:52 GMT

I know @ casinos you can ban yourself from entering/playing @ a casino and can be subject to arrest if caught. Had seen a special on casinos banning certain customers, particularly Blackjack cheaters.

My question is: Can the DC lottery ban this fool from playing again? Never heard of that, but there's a first time for every thing.

Comment #20

Artist77 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 23:21:45 GMT

Yes...he is going to use the money to help people.

Had he actually won, he would have bought a yacht and been hanging out with 20 year old bikini models.

He is a very practiced scammer.

Comment #19

Brock Lee — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:42:28 GMT

dailymail says the guy is trying to start up his own bank too

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13100377/washington-dc-powerball-drawing-lottery-lawsuit.html

all i can say is this guy got more balls than powerball.

Comment #18

Artist77 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 21:11:56 GMT

He also fails the reasonable person test. I think others are correct here. He saw the early posted numbers with the missing pb number and went out and bought 26 tickets with each pb number. Just a scammer. Hopefully there is video of this as well.

See USA Today info below.

Brittany Bailey, the project manager at Taoti, said in court documents that Cheeks' attempted scheme is a way to capitalize on an obvious error on the D.C. Lottery website. Rather than posting random numbers on a... [ More ]

Comment #17

BobP — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 20:43:13 GMT

Just because a disclaimer is posted doesn't mean it's absolute. If as he says they left the wrong numbers up for three days, there is a degree of pain thinking you've won something more then a plastic leg in a fish net stocking. They owe him something, exactly what, is for a jury to decide.

BobP

Comment #16

Lotterologist — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 19:47:12 GMT

Since the lottery is already scamming us with sucker bets, why not make them pay when they post the wrong numbers?

Sometimes the scammer gets scammed and turnabout is fair play.

Comment #15

Lotterologist — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 19:39:35 GMT

I hope he wins, as I would if it was any of you.

The lottery can afford to pay and everybody's happy

Comment #14

Artist77 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 19:15:47 GMT

So what sort of loss did he suffer based on inaccurate info being temporarily posted to a website??? Did he miss a deadline? Nooo. You cannot be serious.

Comment #13

sully16 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 18:06:59 GMT

The plot thickens, I think there needs to be a complete investigation.

1. Does the alleged winner know the techies?

2. Birthday numbers??? only see a couple.

3. Does he have other tickets with the exact numbers?

Sumptin fishy

Comment #12

ekem6078 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:42:49 GMT

Although I don't agree with paying him the full $350 mil, but since it was there mistake they should at least pay him .1%. ( $350.000.).

Comment #11

Raven62 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:23:26 GMT

What about the Players that discarded Winning Tickets after seeing the Incorrect Numbers on the DC Website

Comment #10

db101 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:16:40 GMT

Pretty ballsy, and he knows well and good he has no case, just trying to get his name in the papers. Why didn't he watch the video of the official drawing? They're all posted on YT, I believe. Why didn't he double check the numbers on a few other states' lottery websites and the Powerball website itself? All of that would have set him straight.

Comment #9

noise-gate — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 15:24:07 GMT

* Years ago, a woman supposedly won millions on a penny slot machine ended up getting a steak from the management: Same thing here

Comment #8

Artist77 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 15:15:46 GMT

They may offer him a few hundred dollars if anything at all but not as a settlement. Assuming he did not purchase his numbers after they were posted since that shows dishonesty.

There is no cause for defamation at this point, even if he is ranting online about it (assuming he does not have millions of followers).

If he continues after the case is dismissed and claims the DC lottery is crooked , scammers, etc. and that info is disseminated widely, at best he would be sent a cease and des... [ More ]

Comment #7

steve1863 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 15:00:58 GMT

The time stamp on the purchased ticket shows January 6 8:47 PM. He picked his own numbers.

The lottery people say the test numbers were posted on the website January 6, likely during business hours.

It looks to me Mr. Cheeks bought the ticket after the incorrect numbers were posted.

Comment #6

Bleudog101 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 14:44:14 GMT

Just for curiosity went to DC lotto website, and like all the many websites I may encounter, there is the disclaimer lower left corner in plain English.

Artist 77: Could the DC lottery sue him for defamation

Comment #5

Bleudog101 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 14:39:52 GMT

Two things I had hoped for: 1) That Todd Kate would run this article and #2) That Artist 77 would comment since it is in your backyard.

This was on YouTube and I commented on it. You talk about some hateful comments directed @ me. One even said I wasn't educated. Blasted that one out and said eff your attitude that my SO worked in Criminal Justice for 40 years and my measly eight months as a Grand Juror and know what I'm talking about.

Comment #4

heisenberg991 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 14:37:23 GMT

Because we made an error, here is $340 bucks. Thanks for playing.

Comment #3

Artist77 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 13:45:28 GMT

No cause of action there buddy. Buh bye. A decent attorney would have told you that fact. His attorney appears to be a solo practitioner with zero reviews.

Comment #2

adamc224 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 13:42:09 GMT

Says it right on the website of all the lotteries... This should be correct but, if it isn't... The lottery official records are controlling. Or something of that nature...

Comment #1

ErikB14 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 13:38:44 GMT

Someone is to be hold accountable.

I don't care who posted the wrong number I woke up a to be a Millionaire I don't care what they said' pay me.

DC man sues the lottery after incorrect numbers posted on website would have won him $340 million

Lottery Post — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 12:48:53 GMT

A Washington, D.C. man who thought he had won a $340 million Powerball jackpot is suing the lottery and other companies related to the Powerball game after the district's website displayed the wrong winning numbers, which happened to match the numbers on his ticket.

John Cheeks purchased a Powerball lottery ticket at the center of the dispute on Jan. 6, 2023. Although Cheeks did not see the Powerball drawing the following day, he saw his numbers posted on the DC lottery's website two days la... [ More ]