Letters from the Editor in Chief

Mr. Bob Edmonds reminds me of my mother. She tought us, My brother and I how to deal with the merchants. How to pay attention to the details of the transaction in progress across the counter with the clerk. From the time she took us holding hands and walked to one of the local general stores.

As I grew older, My mother would sent me to the store with five or ten dollars to buy a few items.

She would always say.
"Watch your money."
"Make sure you get the right change."
"Pay attention to the price of each item and get the right change from the total amount."

I always made sure to go home with the right change. Then she would reward me with a few coppers, Nickles, Dimes. Sometimes even a quarter. Then we would have money for a saturday afternoon at the Palace and or Regent movie theaters.

In the local convience store's operating on low product margins and minimim wage clerks.
The temtation exist to grab every cent from the unsuspecting customer's.

fraser dwyer

The importance of the story, as a meta-narrative, seems to be that investigative journalism can make a difference; that, without the fourth estate (and, in this case, the Fifth Estate), there are interests greater than those of the individual. But, when journalists are given the tools and freedom to dig, liars and cheaters beware!

To quote the EIC himself: "There is no more important contribution that we can make to society than strong, publicly-spirited investigative journalism." (From the entry on investigative journalism at Wikipedia.)

I have a similar but different story with less of a happy ending and it has to do with insurance companies. Not just one but three of them, at the same time with deep pockets and offices full of lawyers who, when push came to shove over a claim that cost me considerable time and personal expense became what they (the three insurance companies) deemed lawful and what the courts could and in all probability would have deemed inappropriate if I only had the equally deep pockets to fight back. One comment epitomizes what these particular insurance bullies are all about was that of one of the four insurance lawyers I had to meet with collectively around a very large table as part of the discoveries process. In the words of one of the four lawyers representing the one of three insurance companies suing me made to myself through my single, lone, legal representative,… “just give us the money and we can all go home.” Its all about the money isn’t it. Nothing about what is just or fair. I respect the tenacity of Mr. Edmonds for not rolling over in the face of adverse and seemingly insurmountable odds. One for the little guy and a well deserved black eye for those lawyer insulated corporate carpetbaggers.
Gerry Banford
St. Albert, Alberta

The obvious lesson is: check your own lottery tickets for winners and not let some clerk do it for you.

One interesting lesson learned from the CBC’s story on lottery fraud was to take care not to buy tickets from just any old lottery retailer, a community that is winning more prizes than is in any way statistically conceivable. In fact, turning the tables on the usual impression of the safety of online transactions, it seems safer to buy a ticket online, where your address and contact info is recorded, rather than in a store, where it is not.

Another interesting lesson to learn is that for all the great value our culture puts on the almighty dollar, we are very good at losing track of it. Statistics from the banks in North America are even more disturbing those offered by Toronto statistician Jeffrey Rosenthal, who claims on cbc.ca that Ontario lottery retailers are “a trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion” times more lucky with lotteries than chance would indicate.

It is estimated by the Multi-State Lottery Association that about 12 percent of lottery prizes in the United States go unclaimed. In Canada, the largest unclaimed jackpot was a 1989 Lotto 649 ticket worth $4.6 million.

Lotteries are only the beginning of the pot of gold of lost money. It has been reported that 7 out of every 10 adult Americans are entitled to a share of the estimated 300 billion dollars nationwide that make up "Unclaimed Funds" in bank accounts.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Canada reports that as of the end of December 2004, approximately 804,000 unclaimed balances, worth some $245 million, representing more than 2 million bank deposits in Canada, are unclaimed. Only 4 percent of these deposits have been recovered in the past 55 years.

At least poorer-than-need-be Bob Edmonds who was deprived of his rightful lottery winnings can take some relief in statistics captured under his family name. Of all the 17 people with the surname of Edmonds in Canada with unclaimed balances, only four have left accounts unclaimed that are worth $500 or more. My own clan has left more than I can count.

I think what makes lottery players go to the stores to have their tickets checked is that when you call the OLGC office for the winning numbers, they always tell you the numbers are "unofficial." What does that mean ? Where do you get the "official" winning number ? So you go to the store. Years ago, before my mother passed away she was almost victimized by a dishonest variety store lottery seller. She had checked her ticket beforehand and some of her numbers entitled her to a minor prize. She was told her ticket was not a winner but she insisted on having it checked again and got her prize. She never went to that store again. Lottery players should be responsible for checking tickets. On the other hand, we also expect some level of honesty on the part of the outlets that the OLGC have given the right and priviledge to sell tickets to the public.

Lotteries are a government grab for more money. I admire Mr.
Edmonds and I want to tell him and others that there are people like him in this world. The concept of telling the truth and standing up for what you believe in, is alive. Truth tellers are
out there. People who battle for their rights exist.
As for checking ones own lottery ticket, some elderly people
cannot see well or figure it out. Mr. Reicher of Montreal may check his own ticket, but that is his business. It is not a perfect world.

this story simply re-inforces my belief that when it comes to sellng tickets or even publishng th next days wnning numbrs,,its ok for a variety stor or othr outlet to do it.pik up yur tiket numbr th nxt day,,take it home an chek th numbrs yurslf,,,if you see winning numbrs,,,tak'em to a bank tht has a screen (and th music),,thers lots of witnesses ther and no ones allowd to hang around in a bank,(if u kno wat i mean)...banks shud be th only ones who are allowd to pay anythng out,,and tht includs a free tiket,,up to a certan amount. no mor con jobs at th stor countr..hope yur readng ths ANDRE MARIN.

I cannot help but wonder why charges filed against the LePlantes have not been brought before the court. The LaPlantes stole from Mr Edmonds just as surely as if they had broken into his home. They defrauded the OLGC. While it is laudable that Mr Edmonds does not want the LaPlantes to go to jail for the sake of their children, the fact remains that theft and fraud are matters for which the LaPlantes should be held accountable.

Well done CBC! Clearly Mr.Edmonds is our hero. The CBC should engage more of their resources to hold the semi secret lotto corporations and their behaviour in the market place to the unwritten rule of fair play and transparency. Not just in Ontario but right across our land.
Your ratings would go skyward without any doubt because we are all stake holders in gambling issues such as the Bob Edmonds affair. A story on oversight of these lotto kingdoms would do well with viewers.
Thanks for a great story and an excellent service to all our compatriots who ever plunked down a loony for the elusive financial freedom.

Congratulations!

Amazing story....

There are people that will do anything to get free money... but stilling a lottery ticket from a 80 old man that is very low. As far I am concerned the clerk that stole his ticket should go behind bars, she has to pay for that.

I am glad Mr. Edmonds came out with the story, fron now on... I hope the "real" winners will claim the lotto prizes...

The lesson to be learn: Even if you are an old person and can see very well.. Ask a relative to check the number for you on the internet, paper etc...

Not!! a clerk.

The story of Mr. Edmonds is very inspiring and I applause for his bravery. I also applause to CBC and The fifth estate, I have learn so much from your programs. Well done!!
I personally think the couple that stole Mr. Edmonds's winning ticket should go to jail. I hope their three children know what their parents have done and hope they inspired by Mr. Edmonds.
One more thing, I am currently working in my aunt's convenience store as a clerk. Many of us (store clerks) are not trying to grab your money everytime you step into our stores. I know there are many people out there who will do anything just to get free money but please don't label every store clerks as greed driven bad people. We do make mistakes when giving back your change but that's not intentional. Everyone mistakes sometimes.
(Just want to say one more thing, there are customers out there are just as bad. They too try to get free food and services by so many excuses that you can't even imagine. I don't know if any of you have ever work in service sectors, if you do, you will understand what I mean.*kind of out of topic, sorry.)

I worked in a lottery outlet with others. They consistently played and knew the odds of the tickets. I watched as one girl played Nevada tickets knowing the large prizes were in the box. When she won the largest prize, she payed the money for playing the tickets. She also made a mess of my inventory count so that it looked as if I was stealing. She also worked as a bank teller. Hope the bank kept excellent records......

I just read that Mr. Edmonds has died. His fight with the Ontario lottery will surely be remembered for a long time. Perhaps more important is the style in which his battle was fought. He appeared dignified and full of grace; a perfect spokesperson for the 'little guy'.

What has Canadian society become?

Bob Edmonds was wronged. He went to the OLGC. They fought him legally and spent more in legal fees trying to defeat him than it would have cost to pay him his winnings.

What happened Trudeau's "just society"?

The Edmonds/OLGC battle is unfortunately similar to the thousands of battles going on across Canada with seniors battling big business. Each year seniors are being robbed of billions of dollars due to investment industry wrongdoing yet Government fails to step in.

We see it with corporations where management loots companies. With Ottawa where management defrauds Government. With the investment industry where rules are broken and seniors savings are robbed.

When will Government take action to penalize the perpetrators?

Bob Edmonds took a stand for Canadian values. Unfortunatly these battles take their toll.

We shall remember him.

Stan Buell
President Small Investor Protection Association