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Lottery Champ On Losing Streak

The man who won the largest single lottery jackpot in U.S. history has had a run of bad luck this week: He's been robbed twice and sued.

Police said the business office of Jack Whittaker, who hit the $314.9 million Powerball jackpot on Christmas 2002, was broken into Tuesday and $2,000 was taken.

On Thursday, Whittaker's vehicle at his home was broken into and property was stolen. State Police spokesman Sgt. Jay Powers said he could not release details.

No arrests have been made.

Whittaker told WSAZ-TV he keeps money in his vehicle after he collects it from his businesses at night. "I'm ready to kill somebody," he said.

Earlier in the week, Whittaker was sued by an employee of the Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center who alleged he assaulted her in March 2003. He has not responded to the civil suit, and has not been charged with any crime.

In January, in separate incidents, Whittaker was charged with threatening to kill the manager of a bar and with drunken driving. Both cases are pending.

Also in January, his vehicle was broken into and $100,000 was taken. No arrests were made.

In August, Whittaker was allegedly drugged while at a strip club and a briefcase with more than $500,000 was stolen from his vehicle. The money was recovered and two club employees were arrested.

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