Florida Man Accused of Stealing $10,000 from Girlfriend — Then Winning $1 Million Lottery Jackpot

MIAMI, FLORIDA — A bizarre and heated legal dispute has erupted in Florida after a man allegedly used $10,000 of his girlfriend’s money without permission to buy lottery tickets — and ended up hitting a $1 million Mega Millions jackpot.

According to reports shared by Hot 97, the unnamed man secretly took his girlfriend’s savings to fund what he described as a “lucky bet.” When he discovered that one of the tickets had won big, he immediately returned the $10,000, hoping it would settle any fallout.

But that’s where things took an unexpected turn.

From “Borrowed” to “Investment”

The woman claims she never agreed to the use of her money and only learned about the winnings after her boyfriend hit the jackpot. Now, she’s suing him for $500,000, arguing that her money acted as an “investment” in his gamble and that she deserves half of the prize.

The man, however, insists that it wasn’t an investment or a partnership — just a bad decision that turned into luck. He maintains that returning the original $10,000 should have resolved the issue.

“She’s trying to claim it was some kind of financial agreement,” the man reportedly told local outlets. “But I never promised her anything. I just got lucky.”

Legal Experts Weigh In

Legal analysts say the case raises complicated questions about ownership, consent, and intent. If the money was taken without permission, the act could technically qualify as theft, even if the funds were returned later.

However, because the girlfriend is now claiming it was an investment, that shifts the argument to a civil dispute over potential profit-sharing rather than criminal charges.

Attorney and legal analyst Jessica Morales explained that proving an “investment agreement” may be difficult without any written or verbal confirmation.

“If she can’t demonstrate that he promised her a share of the winnings, the court may view it simply as an unauthorized borrowing — not a partnership,” Morales said.

The Fallout

Friends close to the couple say their relationship has since ended, with both sides lawyering up. Social media users have been quick to react, with some calling the woman’s claim opportunistic — while others say she deserves a portion of the winnings since her money made the purchase possible.

Regardless of how the lawsuit plays out, the incident has become a viral talking point about trust, money, and moral responsibility in relationships.

Lottery Luck or Legal Lesson?

Lottery experts estimate that over $1 billion in Mega Millions prizes are won annually, but cases like this one show how sudden fortune can quickly turn into a financial and emotional nightmare.

For now, the Florida man retains control of his winnings, but the legal battle could determine whether he keeps the full $1 million — or ends up sharing the fortune born from a very risky decision.

What do you think — should the girlfriend get a share of the winnings, or is returning her $10,000 enough? Join the discussion at NapervilleLocal.com.