Lottery officials clear up winner misunderstanding | Education

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A winning scratch-off ticket created some controversy with lottery officials after they learned the winner depicted in the official winning photo wasn't the actual winner.

Lisa Priola was thrilled when she won $200,000 in an instant scratch-off game called Power 7's. But when it came time to claim it, Priola sent her mother to collect the money.

Priola said officials at the Raleigh headquarters told her the transaction would be fine as long as she signed power of attorney to her mother, Grace Priola.

When Grace arrived to collect everything was fine. Later that night, administrators called Lisa asking if she signed over the power of attorney. Grace said she gave them her ID and signed for the check, but no one asked for the attorney paperwork.

Now, the family said the incident has been all over the radio that "some grandmother tried stealing the money." Grace said it's been a nightmare and hopes the family never plays the lotto again.

Lisa said investigators from the North Carolina Education Lottery stopped by her house Wednesday to clear up the situation. While she's glad they stopped by, she said it doesn't fix the damage already caused by the negative attention.

Since the Power 7's game started Jan. 2, Lisa is the first player to win a $200,000 top prize, before taxes.

After taxes were withheld, she received a check for $136,001.

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