“They direct deposited $275 that they owed me because they forgot to send it,” Moore said.Īccording to Jones, the DEO’s fraud prevention measures have stopped more than $23.1 billion in fraud. In fact, a review of his records produced an additional $275 in unemployment assistance. He contacted News 6 and provided proof he was eligible for benefits. Moore said he went to the Jacksonville lottery office to cash in his winning Whole Lotta 500′s scratch-off ticket in November and was told he owed $1,200. The DEO has been clear that the potential state debts go beyond unemployment benefits and could include child support and tax bills. Both men told News 6 they had never received a debt notice from the state. News 6 featured Moore and Jerry Kirkpatrick, of Ocala, in a story on Dec. Moore is one of dozens of Florida residents who have contacted News 6 to help reclaim lottery cash prizes taken to fulfill unemployment overpayments. “How many people aren’t fighting that don’t know about you guys!” “I almost gave up, I’m not going lie,” Moore told News 6 this week. John Moore, of Jacksonville, told News 6 he was ready to leave the money behind when his $1,000 cash prize was taken by lottery staff on behalf of the DEO. An overpayment is established when DEO does not receive sufficient information to determine eligibility for a claim.” Morgan Jones, DEO deputy director of communications, told News 6 It is important to note “that DEO’s Reemployment Assistance overpayment procedures are in place to mitigate fraud. The new information supports the growing number of complaints from recent lottery winners who have had their prizes taken by the Department of Economic Opportunity to pay for unemployment overpayments they knew nothing about.

– The Florida State Lottery recently said over 5,000 winners “show(ed) potential outstanding state owed debt balance” within the last year.Ī public records request filed by WKMG-TV News 6 to the state lottery office shows that a total of 5,060 winners from Jan.

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