Crime News
Lottery decision disappoints Grand Prairie man
Posted:  11/04/2009 11:46 AM
By DARLA MILES / WFAA-TV |

Willis Willis — the Grand Prairie man whose million-dollar lottery ticket was cashed in by a convenience store clerk — said he was greeted with disdain during a five-minute sit-down meeting with the Texas Lottery Commission.

"They made no offer to correct it, or say, 'We will do this, we'll give you this' or anything. Nothing to that effect. It was 'No, we feel who brought the ticket is the winner,'" Willis said.

In May, store clerk Pankaj Joshi told Willis he had only won $2, but investigators believe Joshi fled the country with the winnings.

Willis said the commission's ruling was more hurtful than the theft itself. "Now, I don't see how you can say that I wasn't [the winner] when it's been proven that I am."

According to the Travis County District Attorney's office Willis is the winner, and they have indicted Joshi for the theft.