Kristen Moriarty purchased her winning ticket through a third-party courier service using a mobile app on Feb. 17.
AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas woman has finally received her $83 million Texas Lottery jackpot after nearly six months of delays caused by a dispute with the Texas Lottery Commission.
Kristen Moriarty purchased her winning ticket through a third-party courier service using a mobile app on Feb. 17. The ticket was printed at Winner’s Corner in North Austin.
Moriarty’s attorney, Randy Howry, said although the purchase was legal at the time, the state launched an investigation into courier services shortly after her win. These services have since been banned in Texas.
Howry told KVUE that the delay caused significant emotional and financial distress for his client.
“What should have been a life-changing celebration turned out to be a stressful, painful ordeal,” Howry said.
Howry said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick aimed to eliminate the Texas Lottery in the current legislative session and claims his client was used as a “political pawn.”
“We held these folks accountable,” Howry said. “You can’t treat people this way the Constitution says that the laws work for the people, by the people, with the people. And in this case, I’m happy to announce that the people won.”
The Texas Lottery Commission confirmed that a settlement was reached with Moriarty. A spokesperson told KVUE that since she opted for the cash payment option when purchasing the ticket, Moriarty will receive a lump sum of approximately $45 million before taxes.
This payout is among the final transactions the Texas Lottery Commission will process before the agency is officially terminated on Sept. 1.