Woman found guilty
of false lottery claim

updated 10:27 a.m. ET Jan. 15, 2004

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio - A woman who claimed she lost a winning lottery ticket worth $162 million was convicted Thursday of lying on a police report.

Elecia Battle, 40, of Cleveland, pleaded no contest to the charge in South Euclid Municipal Court and was found guilty by Judge Patricia Ann Kleri.

The no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but means the defendant will not fight the charges. Battle made no comment in court other than to say “yes” when asked if she understood her rights and the charge filed against her.

The misdemeanor charge carries a possible penalty of 30 days to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Kleri ordered a presentence investigation with sentencing set on Feb. 19.

Battle and her attorney, Sheldon Starke, left court without making any comment.

Days after the Dec. 30 Mega Millions drawing, Battle filed a police report saying she had bought the winning ticket but had lost it, possibly when she dropped her purse outside a convenience store.

The lottery dismissed the claim and declared Rebecca Jemison, 34, the winner on Jan. 6.

Battle admitted her lie two days later and dropped the lawsuit, tearfully telling reporters, “I wanted to win so badly for my kids and my family.”

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