MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- An Ohio man is suing 22 of his co-workers for a share of a lottery jackpot the group won while he was on medical leave for a back injury.
Edward Hairston, an employee of Kraftmaid cabinetry company in Middlefield, Ohio, says that he has contributed to the company lottery pool every month for eight years. He missed payments in June, July and August while he was out of work, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported, but says he still deserves a share of the $99 million jackpot winnings.
Lawyer Howard Mishkind, contends that Hairston is entitled to about $2 million because the workers at Kraftmaid had previously covered for other colleagues when they couldn't make payments due to illness. In one instance, the group used money from smaller winnings to cover for a woman who was absent for five months.
The lawyer representing the winners, Kerin Lyn Kaminski, contends the group never covered the monthly lottery payments of any individuals in the past.
Last week, a judge ordered $2 million of the winnings to be set aside until a jury trial in December determines the outcome of the claim.
