In this week’s the fifth estate, Linden MacIntyre reveals for the first time the extraordinary tale of seven ordinary guys who suddenly struck it rich—to the tune of $12.5 million. Why it took the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) seven years to find them is a true-life drama full of false claims, counter-claims, court battles and a nifty new computer program that can meticulously track the habits of people who play the lottery game. Lucky Seven airs Friday, Nov. 2 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) on CBC-TV.
In 2006, the fifth estate revealed a scam where trusting people had their lotto winnings stolen by crooked storekeepers. Luck of the Draw set off a storm of controversy that ended in the OLG changing the rules forever. As the fifth estate investigated, one story rose to the surface that had always seemed fishy. It was a family that claimed a huge $12.5 million jackpot in 2004. To the OLG, the facts simply didn’t add up, and last year, with the help of the Ontario Provincial Police, they discovered a group of seven construction workers who they believe are the rightful winners of that 12.5 million dollar jackpot. OLG investigators reveal to the fifth estate how they found them, and the lucky seven speak publicly for the first time since their win.
In advance of the broadcast, watch Lucky Seven online, for review purposes only, by contacting Corey Black (corey.black@cbc.ca) for the link and password. CBC News Network rebroadcasts the fifth estate on Saturdays at 7 p.m. ET. For more information on the fifth estate, visit our website at www.cbc.ca/fifth, join us on Facebook and follow us on twitter. Executive producer of the fifth estate is Jim Williamson.
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For further information, or to request interviews, contact:
Corey Black, News and Current Affairs Publicist, CBC
o) 416-205-8710
c) 647-221-4133