Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By IAN MINIELLY
Bessemer — The Bessemer PumpkinFest 50/50 contest had a local man come forward two weeks ago to claim the prize, only he lacked the physical ticket and only had a picture of it, which he provided as proof of purchase. The PumpkinFest Committee approached the Michigan Charitable Giving Commission regarding the validity of Jim Albert’s claim to the prize based off his photograph.
The winning numbers for the 50/50 are 9634 and the winner is expected to take home $4,836. On Monday John Frello told the Globe the CGC responded to their inquiry regarding the digital evidence of correct ticket ownership. According to the CGC, the digital picture of Albert with the ticket was enough to claim the prize, but the commission recommended waiting a full 60 days from the date of the drawing before awarding the prize money, said Frello.
By waiting the full 60 days, if the paper ticket is discovered and turned in, the money would be awarded immediately to the holder of the ticket. The commission did not say Albert was not the rightful winner, but urged caution to make sure there would be no doubt as to the validity of Albert’s claim.
