Judge: Sister not entitled to lotto cut

MIDDLETOWN, Conn., May 12 (UPI) -- A Connecticut judge ruled an 87-year-old woman does not have to share her $500,000 Powerball jackpot with her sister.

Theresa Sokaitis, 84, claimed in her suit against sister Rose Bakaysa, 87, that she was entitled to a share of the June 18, 2005, jackpot because of a contract the pair signed in 1995 to solidify their gambling partnership, the Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported Wednesday.

However, Bakaysa argued the partnership was annulled after they stopped speaking in July 2004 during a fight about a $250 loan Bakaysa gave to Sokaitis. She said the ticket was purchased by her brother as part of a new partnership she struck after falling out with her younger sister.

Sokaitis filed suit in August 2005 and Superior Court Judge Cynthia Swienton ruled Wednesday that Bakaysa does not have to share her winnings with her sister.