Ohio woman charged over false lottery claim

A woman who claimed to have lost a lottery ticket worth $162 million was charged Friday with filing a false police report.
The charges came a day after 40-year-old Elecia Battle all but admitted making up the story. The misdemeanor charge carries 30 days to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Police Lt. Kevin Nietert said police pursued the charge because protecting the lottery’s integrity is important.
“I think the general public that’s been reviewing this wants to know that the police department is going to do something about this,” he said.
Days after the Dec. 30 Mega Millions drawing, Battle filed a police report saying she had bought the winning ticket but had lost it, possibly when she dropped her purse outside the convenience store.
Then, when Rebecca Jemison, 34, came forward with the winning numbers and was declared the winner of the jackpot, Battle sued.
On Thursday, however, Battle dropped her lawsuit and apologized to her husband, Jemison and her lawyer.
“I wanted to win so bad for my kids and my family. I apologize,” she said. She added: “I’m not a bad person. I’m really not.”