Woman in $5-M lotto fight with ex says money is hers

The woman being sued by her ex-boyfriend over a $5-million lottery ticket says it was a gift and she is the rightful winner.

In a statement of defence filed in the Court of King’s Bench on June 27, Krystal McKay claims Lawrence Campbell purchased the Lotto 6/49 ticket for her one day before her birthday as a present.

In a lawsuit filed May 14, Campbell claimed he bought the ticket in January 2024, but allowed McKay to claim it as her own — believing he could not receive the money unless he had government-issued ID and an active bank account.

McKay said in court papers no such discussion occurred.

“There was never a discussion between the parties, nor with (Western Canada Lottery Corp.), as to this defendant claiming the prize on behalf of the plaintiff due to his lack of government-issued identification,” the court filing says.

McKay and Campbell went to the WCLC building on Jan. 22, 2024 to claim the prize money, the statement of defence said. There, McKay signed multiple documents, including one in which she claimed to be the lawful holder of the ticket.

“The plaintiff was present with her and did not dispute this or suggest otherwise,” the statement of defence reads.

Campbell signed a release of claim, which acknowledged he did not have any claim to, or interest in, the ticket or corresponding prize, the court papers say.

Campbell’s lawsuit claims the pair were in a “loyal, committed and promising romantic partnership” at the time and accuses McKay of cutting contact with him shortly after the funds were deposited in her bank account. McKay’s lawyers minimized that claim in the statement of defence, and said they had dated on and off following the death of Campbell’s mother in 2022. In fact, McKay asked that they end the relationship in December 2023, one month before the lotto win, the statement of defence says.

McKay denies she “ghosted” Campbell or refused to take his phone calls or answer his messages. Campbell’s suit claims she took out a restraining order against him after the lotto win, which she denied.

The court filing claims McKay had the ticket in her wallet and, one morning after waking up in a friend’s basement, Campbell saw the ticket on the floor and asked McKay to check the numbers.

“The plaintiff saw the lottery ticket and handed it to her for her to check, at which time she went directly to the Lotto 6/49 website … when this defendant realized she won, she advised the plaintiff… The plaintiff never stated, nor was it discussed that he had won the Lotto 6/49 jackpot,” the court papers say.

The statement of defence says a video taken by Campbell at the 777 Sherbrook St. Shoppers Drug Mart shows McKay confirming the winnings. Campbell states in the video his “girl won the lotto.”

The lottery corporations jointly issued a news release on Jan. 30, 2024, announcing McKay as the winner of the $5-million prize. It said McKay’s partner gave her the winning ticket as a birthday gift.

Campbell’s lawsuit denied he bought the ticket “solely as a birthday gift,” instead saying he purchased the ticket himself, but asked her to hold onto it because he “had recently lost his wallet.”

Campbell’s lawyer, Chad Panting, called the statement of defence “absurd, ungracious and selfish.”

“It doesn’t surprise (Campbell) that Miss McKay would deny the allegations, but to deny the “trust” inherent in accepting such a “romantic birthday gift” from a “romantic partner” in a “romantic relationship,” itself in such a selfish manner, is what goes too far for the plaintiff, and only compounds his shock, disbelief and emotional heartbreak,” Panting said in a statement to the Free Press Monday.

On June 13, Court of King’s Bench Justice Brian Bowman ordered McKay’s assets frozen and approved a temporary injunction prohibiting her from selling or transferring real estate, vehicles or anything that has a value greater than $3,500 while the case proceeds.

The order only applies to property and items McKay purchased after the $5 million was deposited into her bank account.

The court compelled her to provide a list of her assets worth more than $3,500, so it can be reviewed by lawyers.

Campbell’s lawsuit also names the WCLC and Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries as defendants. It claims the WCLC provided improper advice to Campbell, and accuses Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries of having deficient or non-existent oversight when disbursing the funds.

The claims haven’t been tested in court. The WCLC and Liquor & Lotteries haven’t issued statements of defence.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca