The lawyer representing a Chatham woman fighting for her half of a $6.1-million Lotto 6/49 jackpot believes he has plenty of evidence to prove her case.
Denise Robertson claims that half the winnings belong to her after her ex-boyfriend, Maurice Thibeault, suddenly moved out of her house September 25.
Her lawyer, Steve Pickard, says there's more than just her word against his to show they intended to share the winnings.
"I think there will be lots of evidence other than just people's word. Often in a case like this, you can go back and start seeing a pattern of text messages or e-mails, things that they purchased together, tickets they purchased together, friends that might testify," says Pickard.
The lottery proceeds are on hold while the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) reviews the ticket bought in Chatham for the September 20 Lotto 6/49 draw. On September 28, Robertson asked the Superior Court to prevent the proceeds from being distributed because she feared Thibeault would leave the country with all the money.
Pickard says he feels pretty good about his client's chances but there could also be further injunctions and appeals.
"In this particular case we think that the evidence is pretty strong that they did have a pattern of sharing and that's what will be put before the court," Pickard says.
Pickard says he'll let the OLG do its investigation and will determine what to do next when a decision is made.
"Pending what their decision is then we would evaluate what our next step is. Whether we would have to go back into the courtroom to get further injunctions or determinations or whether we're satisfied with the OLG's decision," says Pickard.
To get more information about the sworn affidavit, click here.
