Indiana stylists settle $9.5M lottery jackpot suit
Aug 22, 2013, 7:57 PM
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Seven hairstylists have reached a confidential settlement with a former co-worker to end a lawsuit over a $9.5 million lottery jackpot, parties in the case said Thursday.
Defendant Christy Shaw, who claimed she bought the winning ticket separately from those purchased with pooled money, told WTHR-TV that everyone walked away with something. She said everyone decided it was in their best interest to settle.
“We were tired and ready to get it over with,” Shaw said.
The seven plaintiffs claimed everyone in the group agreed to share any winnings from tickets purchased at the same time as those for the pool. A court document stated Shaw knew the rules because they were regularly discussed in the salon, Lou’s Creative Styles in the Indianapolis enclave of Lawrence.
However, Shaw, who no longer works at the salon, said in court filings that no one there ever told her that the person buying tickets for the group could not purchase personal tickets at the same location.
“I didn’t know about that rule. They’re saying everyone knew about it. I did not,” Shaw said.
An Indianapolis judge issued a preliminary injunction in March barring the Hoosier Lottery from paying the jackpot from a Feb. 16 drawing until the case was resolved.
The settlement was confidential, but co-plaintiff Margie Day-Brugh hinted that all will receive sizeable shares of the jackpot when she told the Indianapolis Star that she doesn’t expect her co-workers to quit.
“We probably could, but we enjoy our jobs,” she said. “We are all happy with the outcome and just wish it could have been settled in a nice way.”
WTHR reported the parties agreed to settle Tuesday evening after a mediation hearing on Monday.
Lottery spokeswoman Stephanie McFarland said the parties can claim the prize at Hoosier Lottery headquarters in Indianapolis once the preliminary injunction is lifted.
“We are awaiting notification from the court,” McFarland said.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
