N.J. Construction Workers Sue Colleague For Share Of $38.5 Million Lottery Prize

A trial in Union County, N.J., is pitting five construction workers against their former colleague in what the group says was the man's attempt to deceive them of their share of nearly $40 million in lottery winnings.

The five workers sued their colleague, Americo Lopes (pictured, left, with his wife, Margarida), after he won the Mega Millions jackpot in November 2009. They allege Lopes collected $2 from each man to buy 12 tickets, a custom the group had established, the day before the drawing, according to a report in The Star-Ledger of Newark. But, they say, Lopes said nothing to them about winning and then made off with the winnings.