I’m owed slice of £36million lottery jackpot but the syndicate cut me out and is taking me to court
A MAN at the centre of a bitter feud over $63million (£36million) Powerball jackpot claims he paid $100 for a ticket in the winning syndicate - but one couple suggest otherwise.
Former government worker Mark Ing says he bought a ticket over the phone in the "pay off your mortgage" #2 Syndicate in the Western Australia draw.
Mr Ing and about 250 others who bought into the syndicate were thrilled when they won half the $120million Powerball jackpot on February 24 - each walking away with $261,986.
However, newsagency owners Tania and Kevin Parkes, who ran the syndicate, also entered the prize pool and walked away with a combined $536,000 - which they used to buy a $3.2million mansion.
Now Mr Ing's late claim for his shares are looking to spoil the Western Australian couple's winnings in which they're taking him to court.
According to documents filed in the Supreme Court of Western Australia in April, the Parkes checked their records and allege that Mr Ing bought into the unsuccessful #1 Syndicate - before subscriptions to the winning syndicate opened.
Speaking through his solicitor Cally Hannah, Mr Ing gave his side of the story.
"Mr Ing is a long-time customer of City News Kalgoorlie, and frequently purchases lotto tickets over the telephone," Ms Hannah said.
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"He handed a winning ticket to Lotterywest on February 28."
Lotterywest paid the winnings to all #2 Syndicate subscribers on March 11, with the exception of Mr Ing.
Despite a formal dispute over the winnings, Lotto officials told the couple they intended to pay the man.
The payout has since been blocked by the Supreme Court, with the matter returning to court on August 2.
Four days after their winnings numbers were called, the couple wrote on Facebook: ";Still absolutely buzzing. Thanks for an unbelievable unforgettable night guys.
"Wish we could have partied with all 250. Although feels like we did. Maybe a few sore heads in the morning.
"We f***ing did it!"
The Parkes announced on Monday on their joint Facebook profile that they sold their businesses and bought their "dream home" in the southern suburbs of Perth with their winnings.
It comes after a similar incident took place in Ontario, Canada, where a man sued his friends who cut him out after they won £600,000 on the lottery.
Philip Tsotsos has been left out of the massive prize that was won by the group of sixteen pals last summer.
