A National Lottery winner from Kings Langley has denied a £2.5 million jackpot fraud.
Builder Edward Putman, 53, was arrested for allegedly faking a winning ticket, after a three year investigation.
He was paid £2,525,485 in 2009 as the winner of an unclaimed ticket – coming forward just before the six-month deadline.
The winning numbers on March 11 that year were 6,9, 20, 21, 31 and 34, and were on a ticket bought in the Malvern or Worcester areas of Worcestershire.
Putman, of Station Road, pleaded not guilty to fraud by false representation when he made a brief appearance at St Albans magistrates’ court.
The charge alleges that on September 1 2009 at Watford he dishonestly made a false representation, namely produced a fraudulent National Lottery ticket, intending to make a gain, namely £2,525,485 for himself.
It follows an investigation by Hertfordshire police’s serious fraud and cyber unit, when they were presented with evidence alleging the claim was not genuine.
In 2015 Camelot, the lottery operator, was fined £3 million for serious failings after an investigation by the Gambling Commission.
Defending, Paul Millan said: “This is a malicious prosecution as far as my client is concerned.”
Putman was bailed by magistrate Geoffrey Hall to appear at St Albans Crown Court for a plea hearing on November 19.
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