Man admits winning lotto, but says he didn't rip off his mates' millions
The man accused of reneging on a deal with workmates and taking lottery winnings for himself has admitted he did in fact win the jackpot, according to reports.
Gary Baron, 49, raised suspicions with his workmates at Toll in Geelong, when he abruptly retired shortly after a $50 million Powerball jackpot was shared between three winners in October.
Fairfax Media now reports that Baron admitted to winning the lottery after he was confronted by angry ex-workmates and syndicate members on Sunday.
But, he says he is still the legitimate winner of the $16.7 million windfall because he purchased a separate ticket for himself while entering his syndicate in the draw.
The case is headed for Victoria's Supreme Court on Thursday where 14 of Baron's former workmates will demand Tattslotto reveal the details of winning ticket.
The group will ask to know the identity of one winner - which now appears to be Baron - as well as details of any other tickets purchased by that person.
The syndicate first became suspicious Baron had cashed the winner's cheque when he called in sick the day after the draw and resigned shortly afterwards.
A woman, who was also a syndicate member and is romantically linked to Baron, also quit her job shortly after the draw. She is not a party to the court challenge.
Syndicate members became even more skeptical when their courier company was hired to deliver a bottle of champagne to their colleague courtesy of Tattslotto.
The “Powerball 14” will now ask Victoria’s Supreme Court to order Tatts Group to reveal the name of one Victorian winner who shared the jackpot with two others around the country. They believe they are each entitled to a $1 million share of the winnings.
News Corp quoted a source saying Baron’s workmates resolved to investigate after they decided their now former workmate had suddenly started behaving like a very wealthy man.
“They suspect that he did win because of his change of routine — he has acquired lots of assets recently,” the source said.
“They have never got a satisfactory explanation from him. These people are all workers - to get $1 million will change their whole life.”
The group will also ask the court to reveal how many tickets the mystery winner bought in case they argue the winning ticket had been purchased separately to the syndicate ticket.
It was reported Baron regularly collected money from his colleagues to enter lottery draws, however, none of the other men involved say they ever saw the winning ticket.
A Tattslotto press release following the draw identified the winner only as a Victorian man who wished to remain anonymous, and who planned to buy a jet ski, new cars for his family and new iPhones for his children.
“I’m still in disbelief … I don’t need that amount of money, it’s too much for me,” he said in the press release.
“I’m going to share the prize money with my family. I’ll make sure it doesn’t change who I am but I’ll definitely be able to live a better lifestyle.
The October 2014 jackpot came to $50 million and was shared between the mystery Victorian man, a Victorian couple and a West Australian man who each pocketed about $17 million.
