Mystery Trust Beats the Clock to Claim $14 Million Lottery Jackpot

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Lawyers for a mysterious trust have turned in the winning ticket for an Iowa Lottery jackpot worth up to $14.3 million just hours before the deadline.

The ticket bought on Dec. 29, 2010, was due to expire Thursday, and lawyers representing Hexam Investments Trust turned it in with just two hours to spare.

The trustee of the trust is Crawford Shaw, a New York attorney. But Lottery officials say it's not clear whether Shaw is the winner or represents others. Shaw didn't return messages Friday, and his adult son declined to comment.

Lottery officials say they are starting an investigation to make sure the claim is legitimate.

Lottery spokeswoman Mary Neubauer says the ticket shipped by FedEx arrived Thursday in Iowa. She says, "It's amazing things were cut that close."