California man demands full payout for two winning Mega Millions tickets

In California, a man named Faramarz Lahijani is embroiled in a legal battle against the California Lottery, claiming he won two Mega Millions lottery tickets that both bore the same winning numbers. He purchased these tickets on December 8, 2023, which were subsequently confirmed as winners for the $394 million jackpot draw. Lahijani has been playing these numbers for three decades, a selection originally made by his children, which reflects the personal significance these numbers hold for him. He successfully claimed one ticket’s winnings soon after, collecting half of the total jackpot illuminated by the lottery's rules, but he soon encountered problems because he lost the second ticket. This loss rendered him unable to claim the remaining half of his winnings, which totals $197.5 million. In a desperate bid to secure this money, Lahijani filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court on December 6, 2024, just hours before the deadline for claiming the remaining prize was set to expire. The defendants in his legal action include the California State Lottery Commission, the California Lottery, and the State of California. Lahijani argues that he has suffered financial hardship and emotional distress due to the lottery's refusal to honor his claim to the full winnings of what he deems to be his rightful prize. His claim for damages includes a specified sum exceeding $50,000 due to the embarrassment and anxiety he has experienced as a result of the situation. The California Lottery has declined to comment on the active litigation, stating that doing so would be inappropriate in order to protect the integrity of their processes. The case has raised questions about the lottery system's handling of winning tickets, particularly in situations involving claims that suggest a breach of contract if not appropriately addressed, as the plaintiff maintains that he should be recognized as the sole winner despite the lost ticket. Lahijani's ongoing pursuit to recover what he believes is justly his reveals the complex emotional and financial ramifications associated with lottery winnings, especially when unexpected complications arise, such as losing a ticket, which can severely influence the outcome for a winner at the hands of the often rigid lottery rules.