Mass. says lottery winners still collected welfare

Mass. says lottery winners still collected welfare

BOSTON (AP) — Authorities say winning hundreds of thousands of dollars in the state lottery wasn’t enough for two Massachusetts men.

They also allegedly collected welfare benefits at the same time.

State Auditor Suzanne Bump says both men face larceny charges.

Her office alleges James Casey Jr. of Waltham did not tell welfare officials that he has won more than $700,000 while he was collecting more than $12,000 in state health benefits and more than $1,500 in food stamps.

Authorities say Frank Basile of Belmont collected more than $17,000 in state health benefits during the time he won $316,000 on the lottery.

Basile tells The Boston Globe the charges are “a mistake” because his gambling losses are higher than his winnings. Casey could not be reached.