Geelong Powerball syndicate ‘strikes secret deal’ with winner Gary Baron

FRESH doubts have been raised about a ‘secret deal’ between workers who claimed they were cheated out of a $16.7m Powerball win.

FRESH doubts have been raised about a “secret deal” between workers who claimed they were cheated out of a $16.7 million Powerball win, and the man who allegedly took their money.

After signing a confidentiality agreement, two men from the Powerball syndicate in Geelong, Victoria, confirmed to A Current Affair that the syndicate members struck a secret deal with Gary Baron and his lawyers last night.

But today, media reports suggest no deal has been made.

While a confidential pre-trial legal deal on procedural matters has been reached, syndicate members are expected to issue Mr Baron with a writ in the coming months.

News Corp Australia is attempting to contact legal representatives for both sides, as well as the parties involved, for a response.

Mr Baron, 49, was one of three parties to share in the $50 million Powerball jackpot on October 16 last year.

Mr Baron, from Lara, was responsible for buying a ticket on behalf of a group of workmates at the Toll Group in Geelong.

But Mr Baron said he won the $16.7 million first division prize with a personal $46.45 ticket.

He said he used numbers he had played 23 times since April 3, 2014, in a favourites setting in his Tatts account called MyPowerballBall.

The favourite game had not changed since September 2013, he said.

Gary Baron, who was accused of keeping his syndicate’s lotto winnings. Picture: Seven News

Mr Baron said he bought the ticket on his smartphone three days before buying 10 tickets for the syndicate through his internet ­account.

On that occasion, 20 people contributed a $20 share each, which was combined with $120 in winnings from the previous week, Mr Baron said.

The syndicate won $299.40.

Syndicate members became suspicious when Mr Baron suddenly called in sick and took the day off on October 16.

The following Monday he quit his job at the Toll Group, and then went on a spending spree. He bought lavish gifts including a mansion and luxury car.

A bottle of champagne from Tatts also arrived at Toll for Mr Baron.

Resigned from his job ... the Toll Group depot where the Powerball winner worked. Picture: Tony Gough

“I did speak to two of the men today, and they told me that they are very happy and life is good,” ACA reporter Tineka Everaardt said.

After realising Mr Baron had won the jackpot, his colleagues pursued legal action to find out how Mr Baron’s winning ticket was purchased.

Mr Baron has denied cheating his work colleagues out of money.

In a statement, he said: “I have never cheated my workmates and I am disappointed that the matter has become so public and that my name, family and home have become so widely publicised. I am also disappointed that the syndicate did not give me any notice of the impending court proceedings or contact me directly or through my lawyer.”

READ GARY BARON’S FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

On 12 October 2014, I purchased a Powerball ‘favourites’ game for the Powerball $50m draw which was held on 16 October 2014. The cost of this game was $46.45. I purchased the ticket through my Tatts account and used my smart phone to facilitate the purchase. This favourite game is actually named “My PowerballBall” in the Lottery system and has not changed since 11 September 2013.

MyPowerballball contained numbers which I had saved to my Tatts online account so that I could repeatedly play the same numbers, which I did on 23 occasions since 3 April 2014 always using my own personal funds.

It was from this game that the winning first division numbers were drawn on 16 October 2014.

For several years prior to 16 October 2014, I was tasked with purchasing Powerball tickets for a syndicate at my workplace.

Whenever there was a jackpot, including the week of 16 October 2014, 20 of my colleagues gave me $20 each to put toward Powerball and/or lotto tickets.

Often, I would buy multiple quick picks and multiple games for the syndicate as I understood that these increased our chances of winning. I always reported back and distributed any winnings.

I was well trusted by my colleagues and I am pleased that not all the syndicate have decided to be involved in the unwarranted and unnecessary court action against Tatts.

When I was purchasing tickets for the syndicate, it was agreed between the syndicate, that if any tickets I purchased won small amounts of money, these funds would be added to the following weeks play.

For example, if the syndicate won $100 one week, this $100 would be added to the $400 to be received from the 20 syndicate members to increase our chances of winning.

Each week, I purchased tickets for the syndicate to the precise value (or as close as possible given the varied cost of tickets) of the funds the syndicate had to spend.

I always kept my personal purchases separate from my syndicate purchase, often buying personal tickets and syndicate tickets on different days.

On 15 October 2014, I purchased 10 tickets for the syndicate to the value of $520.35 online.

I made this purchase via my Tatts internet account three days after I purchased by personal ‘favourites’ ticket on 12 October, which I purchased using my smartphone.

The syndicate had $120 in winnings from the previous week and each of the 20 members gave me their $20 again.

Some of these tickets I purchased for the syndicate won small amounts, none of these tickets was the first division prize winner.

All the winnings from these tickets were put back into the syndicate funds for future play.

The following is a brief history of the games I purchased for the syndicate in the weeks preceding the 16 October 2014:

On 25 September 2014, I, on behalf of the syndicate, purchased $399.55 in Powerball games (draw #958) via website for the syndicate. I had a total of $400 invested by the syndicate (20 members x $20). From the games invested on 25 September 2014 on behalf of the syndicate, a total amount of $95.30 was won.

Left work ... Gary Baron suddenly distanced himself from his colleagues. Picture: Channel 9

On 1 October 2014, I, on behalf of the syndicate, purchased $492.40 in Powerball games (draw #959) via website on behalf of the syndicate $400 weekly investment (20 member x $20) + $92.40 from the previous weeks winnings (as close to the $95.30 winning figure as possible).

From the games invested on 1 October 2014 on behalf of the syndicate, a total amount of $182.65 was won. On 7 October 2014 AND 9 October 2014, I, on behalf of the syndicate, purchased $580.35 in Oz Lotto (draw #1077 — $60.10) AND Powerball games (draw #960 — $520.25 via website $400 weekly investment (20 members x $20) + $180.35 from the previous weeks winnings (as close to $182.65 as possible). From the games invested on 7 & 8 October 2014, $120.60 was won (Powerball draw #960).

On 15 October 2014, I, on behalf of the syndicate purchased $520.25 in Powerball games (draw #961) via website. $400 weekly investment + $120.35 from the previous weeks winnings (as close to the $120.60 winning figure as possible). $299.40 was won by the syndicate on that occasion.

The syndicate games were completely unrelated to my personal favourites game which was the successful ticket.

The syndicate games were purchased on different day, through a different medium and using the value of funds the syndicate had to purchase tickets with.

All of this information has been verified by Tatts who conducted an investigation prior to releasing the funds to me.

I have never cheated my workmates and I am disappointed that the matter has become so public and that my name, family and home have become so widely publicised. I am also disappointed that the syndicate did not give me any notice of the impending court proceedings or contact me directly or through my lawyer.

In hindsight, I should have explained the circumstances to syndicate members at the time. I just want to get on with my life and enjoy time with my family.