So, imagine this: you finally hit the jackpot—literally. After years of playing the lottery with the same numbers your kids picked ages ago, you win big. Half of a $395 million Mega Millions jackpot lands in your lap. Sounds like a fairy tale, right? But hold up. What if the other half of the jackpot also belongs to you… but you can’t prove it?
Welcome to the wild world of Faramarz Lahijani.
Last week, Lahijani decided he wasn’t just content with half of the $395 million. Nope. He’s now suing the California Lottery for the other half, claiming that he bought two identical winning tickets for the December 8, 2023, drawing. The kicker? He can only find one of them.
Yeah, let that sink in.
Two Tickets, One Jackpot
According to Lahijani, he’s been playing the same set of numbers for 30 years—numbers that his kids picked way back when they were probably still learning to tie their shoes. Those magical digits? 21, 26, 53, 66, 70, and the Mega Ball, 13. And on one fateful night in December 2023, those numbers hit the jackpot.
But here’s where things get messy. Lahijani says he bought two identical tickets at a Chevron station in Encino, California. One of those tickets? Found. Validated. Cashed in for $197.5 million. The other? Gone. Like, poof. Maybe it’s under the couch, maybe it’s in a landfill, maybe it’s in the Bermuda Triangle. Who knows?
Lahijani is now arguing that because he bought both tickets, the entire jackpot belongs to him. And he’s not just casually mentioning it; he’s full-on suing the California State Lottery Commission, the California Lottery, and the State of California.
The Case of the Missing Ticket
Here’s Lahijani’s logic:
- He bought both tickets.
- The Lottery should have enough data to confirm he’s the rightful owner of the second one.
- Therefore, they owe him the other $197.5 million.
Sounds simple, right? Well, not so fast.
California Lottery rules are pretty clear: to claim a prize, you need a valid ticket. No ticket, no cash. The Lottery even states they’re not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged tickets. It’s like they’ve got a giant neon sign that says, “Your tickets, your problem.”
But Lahijani isn’t backing down. He claims the Lottery breached their duty by not recognizing him as the sole winner. He’s citing everything from contractual obligations to “emotional distress” (because, apparently, winning $197 million isn’t enough to calm the nerves).
The Bigger Picture
Let’s zoom out for a second. On one hand, you’ve got Lahijani, who seems to genuinely believe he’s entitled to the entire jackpot. On the other hand, you’ve got the Lottery, whose rules are basically carved in stone: no ticket, no prize.
But here’s the real question: is this lawsuit about fairness, or is it about one man trying to stretch his luck as far as it’ll go?
And let’s not forget—this guy already pocketed $197.5 million. Sure, he’s claiming financial hardship and emotional distress, but honestly, how much stress can you really have when you’re sitting on a nine-figure payday?
What’s Next?
Lahijani’s case is now in the hands of the court, with Judge Holly J. Fujie presiding. He’s demanding a jury trial, a declaration that he’s the sole winner, and—of course—another $197.5 million.
Meanwhile, the rest of us are left wondering if this is a case of justice or just another reminder that when it comes to money, people will fight for every last cent—even if it’s over a ticket they can’t find.
So, what’s the lesson here? Maybe it’s to keep your lottery tickets in a safe place. Or maybe it’s that even when you win big, there’s always something to stress about. Either way, pass the popcorn. This one’s going to be fun to watch.