Crime And Criminals Blog - Crimes, criminals, scams and frauds.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Man Facing Trial Wins $2,100 On Lotto TV

(AP) A man awaiting trial on charges accusing him of bilking $135,000 from three people in a home-repair scam won $2,100 on the Ohio Lottery's television game show. Timothy Snyder, 44, of St. Louisville, had a winning scratch-off ticket that earned him an appearance "Make Me Famous, Make Me Rich," which aired Saturday night.

There are no laws or rules that prevented Snyder from appearing on the show, lottery officials said.

Snyder is scheduled for trial May 29 in Licking County Common Pleas Court on two counts of theft from an elderly person, theft and misuse of a credit card. Snyder, arrested and indicted last year, is free on $5,000 bond.

Authorities accuse Snyder of encouraging three area residents to open joint bank accounts with him and cash in insurance annuities to buy supplies for home repairs that were never completed.

A message seeking comment was left Sunday at the Newark office of Snyder's attorney, Kristen Burkett, who does not have a listed home telephone number. No home listing could be found for Snyder.

Dan Huston, an assistant county prosecutor, said last week that he hoped Snyder fared well on the lottery show so, if convicted, he would have money to repay the victims. He could be sentenced to more than 20 years in prison if convicted.