State Lawmaker Seeks Openness Among Lottery Winners

Friday, September 29th 2006, 6:03 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An Edmond lawmaker plans to propose legislation next year that would prevent people from claiming lottery prizes through an anonymous trust unless the winning ticket was bought through that trust.

State Senator Clark Jolley says the idea for the bill was sparked when he heard a lottery winner sought to claim a $400,000 prize Wednesday using a trust.

The Edmond Republican says Oklahomans were told the lottery would be open, transparent and have full accountability. Jolley believes winners being anonymous trusts causes problems with both accountability and trust of the lottery.

He questions whether trusts could be used by people seeking to avoid taxation or having their winnings withheld for unpaid child support.

Director of sales and marketing Beverly Hughes says the Oklahoma Lottery tries hard to maintain the integrity of the lottery.