What’s worse than not being able to claim your massive lotto winnings? Being arrested on two counts of felony fraud for trying to do so.

It turns out 51-year-old Eddie Raymond Tipton actually works for the Multi-State Lottery Association in Iowa, meaning he cannot legally partake in the lottery. Despite this he bought a ticket in December 2010, scooping the $14,3 million prize. The tricky part? Trying to get your paws on the winnings, which involved asking others to claim the winnings for him.

This from ABC:

Authorities say Tipton contacted two men after he realized he was the winner. Those men then contacted Shaw [a lawyer who first claimed the winnings, then abandoned the claim] and a Canadian man to help claim the jackpot, authorities said.

After being given immunity one of the men involved led authorities back to Tipton, who was arrested shortly thereafter.

Surely it can’t be too hard to find someone to claim your massive winnings, but we are dealing with a bunch of Americans here so even menial tasks can become cumbersome.

If you would like to become filthy stinking rich and not share with anyone (other than us) why not take a shot at winning $270 million (US, not Zimbabwean). Remember, you gotta be in it to win it.

[source:abcnews]