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America's biggest lottery scam

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River to River, hosted by Ben Kieffer

A new documentary tells how suspicious attempts to claim the 2010 Iowa Hot Lotto Jackpot led to the uncovering of the largest lottery rigging scheme in the United States.

Iowa Lottery CEO at the time, Terry Rich, could not have anticipated the twists and turns that would come from an unclaimed lottery win. Somehow, the story includes Bigfoot, and in the end, hot dogs were key to the arrest of a former lottery computer technician.

This lottery scam is the subject of a new documentary Jackpot: America’s Biggest Lotto Scam, and on this River to River, host Ben Kieffer is joined by Rich and documentary director Brad Osborne. Then, the organization behind new charter schools in Iowa partnered with Gallup to poll student engagement and preparedness at Iowa schools. Kieffer speaks with Matt Lakis and James Troupis of Opportunity Education Foundation.

Guests:

  • Terry Rich, retired president and CEO of the Iowa Lottery
  • Brad Osborne, writer, director of Jackpot: America’s Biggest Lotto Scam
  • Matt Lakis, founding principal, Des Moines Prep, Opportunity Education Foundation
  • James Troupis, chief of schools, Opportunity Education Foundation
Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's <i>River to River</i>.
Dani Gehr is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University. Since 2022, Gehr has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Neve Kelley is a 2025 summer intern with IPR's talk show team and a senior at Oberlin College studying English, environmental studies and education. She is originally from Peoria, Illinois. Some of her favorite things to do in Iowa include going to shows at Codfish Hollow and the Englert, visiting different coffee shops and taking yoga classes.