$83.5 million Texas Lotto Jackpot Finally Paid Out

Imagine winning an $83.5 million Lotto Texas jackpot but not receiving a cent of it for six months. That’s what mother-of-two Kirsten Moriarty from Houston has been experiencing but finally payment is going to be made.

Couriers controversy

The last six months have seen the Texas Lottery carrying out investigations into her fantastic win. Why the delay in payment? Well, there’s been controversy in the American state over the use of couriers to buy lottery tickets.

That’s a method which was used to win a $95 million Lotto Texas jackpot. International couriers spent $25 million purchasing tickets to win the top prize. That did not impress the soon-to-be dissolved Texas Lottery Commission.

This $83.5 million winner had no links with those international couriers but did use one to make her winning purchase.

Concerned about a repeat of what had previously happened, the win was not paid out when she tried to claim her winnings. No indication was given to her as to whether she’d ever receive the life-changing amount.

Naturally shocked at what had occurred, Moriarty (who went public after initially calling herself ‘Jane Doe’) went to both local and national news outlets. That’s not all though, legal action was commenced against the Texas Lottery and Acting Deputy Executive Director Sergio Rey.

Her patience was running out, saying she was “tired of being ignored". Last year  a Texas ticket won a $810 million Mega Millions jackpot.

"Finally”

A hearing was due to take place on August 1 but it was delayed. That was cancelled after agreement to pay the winnings was finally reached. Rey and the Lottery will not face any further legal action over this dispute.  A $5 million Canadian Lotto 6/49 dispute is still ongoing.

The relieved player has opted to accept her winnings as a one-off payment of $45.8 million which will be subject to taxation. That will leave her with $34.87 million.

American jackpots are high at present after a series of rollovers. Tonight’s Powerball draw has a top prize of $526 million.

Buy tickets today from Lottery24.