Nayef Ashkar
/ photo: Onondaga Co. Sheriff's Office
SYRACUSE -- The father accused of helping his sons con a man out of lottery ticket worth $5 million was arraigned Wednesday morning in Onondaga County Court.
56-year-old Nayef Ashkar was indicted by an Onondaga County Grand Jury on two counts of with fourth degree conspiracy. He was arraigned before Onondaga County Court Judge Joseph Fahey. Ashkar is accused of encouraging his sons to claim the winning ticket as their own. He owns the Green Ale Market on East Fayette Street where the ticket was purchased.
Prosecutors say Ashkar's son, Andy, swindled the real ticket-owner, Robert Miles, by convincing him it was only worth $5,000. Later, Andy Ashkar claimed to have purchased the winning ticket himself in 2006.
Members of the family said they waited almost six years to claim the prize because they were worried about how it would affect effect their lives.
Brothers Andy and Nayel Ashkar face charges of attempted grand larceny and possession of stolen property.
A trial date is set for September 9.
