Lotto Winner Sues Lottery

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Heather Dickinson, winner of a $36 million dollar jackpot, sued the Florida Lottery last week, citing personal anguish. Miss Dickinson, who worked as a retail clerk before winning the jackpot in 2005, claims the prize money awarded her has destroyed her finances, caused personal anguish and irreparably damaged personal and family relationships.

Before winning the lottery, Miss Dickinson made about $19,500 a year at a local K-Mart. She lived in a two bedroom apartment with her two children. She relied on credit cards to help pay bills. Micheal Campbell, counsel to Miss Dickinson, argues the Lottery was irresponsible in awarding such a large purse to a woman with poor money management skills. The prize allowed Dickinson to pay off her credit card debit, but enabled her to sink into much greater debt by her impulsive purchases of cars, vacations, clothing and houses for herself, friends and family members.

Dickinson declared bankruptcy in January. She is asking for $10 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in punitive damages.