Lottery scammer gets 25 years in Iowa prison

(Photo from WHO-TV)

The central Iowa man charged with rigging the Hot Lotto game has been sentenced in Polk County Court to 25 years in prison.

Fifty-four year old Eddie Tipton pleaded guilty in June to a felony charge of Ongoing Criminal Conduct, for his lottery rigging scheme.

Tipton said in court he regretted his actions and was sorry for the people he hurt.

Polk County District Judge Brad McCall said Tipton took advantage of his role as an insider, working at the Multi-State Lottery Association, using his computer skills to commit a crime that was driven by greed.

Tipton will also serve several years in prison in Wisconsin, it's not know exactly how long he'll spend in prison in Iowa, but lawyers say he could end up serving 10-years or less.

Tipton has also been ordered to pay 2.6 (M) million dollars in restitution.

(Pictured: L-R, Assistant Attorney General Rob Sand with Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich, Attorney Dean Stowers)

Assistant Iowa Attorney General Rob Sand said after the sentencing, "When you're an insider who abuses your position of trust and privilege,  you should expect to see the inside of a jail cell.  We're glad the court agreed and found it appropriate to send Mr. Tipton to prison."

Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich said "This is a big day for the Iowa Lottery and lotteries across America because it brings certainty and clarity to one of the most strange and unique lottery cases in history."

Tipton's attorney Dean Stowers  said they're disappointed he got a prison sentence in Iowa.   Stowers also said Tipton has no capacity to pay the $2.6 (M) million restitution, because the lottery prize money paid out was paid out to third parties who have never been brought into court, and the monies were taken by people Eddie Tipton did not know.  Stowers had asked the judge for a suspended sentence, arguing that Tipton will likely serve several years in prison in Wisconsin. Stowers says he does not expect to appeal the case.


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