TORONTO - Nine people are going to court claiming they're owed part of a $50-million Lotto Max jackpot.
Earlier this week, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. paid out $31.7 million to 19 Bell Canada workers, who originally validated their New Year's Eve ticket in January.
In a statement of claim filed Friday, the nine plaintiffs claim they were part of the lottery group at a Toronto Bell office since early 2010.
They claim the 19 winners withdrew from the group and formed their own group without notifying the others.
They are seeking equal shares of the jackpot, plus $2.7 million for breach of contract and punitive damages of $4.7 million.
Statements of claim contain allegations that have not been tested in court and the plaintiffs have 20 days to file a defence.
"There was no notice of any kind, either written or oral, of the unilateral dissolution or termination of the partnership arrangement," the claim states.
"The conduct of the defendants was an outrageous ... breach of their contractual and fiduciary obligations," it alleges.
Saul Glober, the lawyer representing the group of 19, said he is confident they are the only legitimate owners of the winning ticket.
Glober said he told his clients to enjoy the Family Day weekend.
It's not the only disputed jackpot in Ontario.
The lottery corporation is delaying the payout of another $50-million Lotto Max jackpot because additional claimants came forward.
Those winners are factory workers from in and around Toronto.
