《中英對照讀新聞》Lottery Lawsuit Winner Offers Advice For Workers In Office Pools 樂透訴訟贏家對同事集資買彩券者提出忠告

◎張沛元

For Scott Bradley and about a dozen co-workers, dreams of hitting it rich came true on December 12, 2008.

對史考特．布萊德利與其他數十名同事而言，2008年12月12日是發財夢成真的日子。

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That’s when he and 13 other employees of the city of Piqua street department won the Mega Millions lottery and each walked away with about $5.5 million dollars after taxes. Bradley says his life changed forever.

那天是他與（美國俄亥俄州）皮卡市政府街道局的其他13名同事贏得「兆彩」頭彩、稅後每人還可分得約550萬美元的日子。布萊德利說，他的人生從此改變。

But for the "Piqua 14" there were a few bumps in their road to riches. Four other co-workers who didn’t win either because they weren’t at work or just didn’t play, decided to sue.

但對所謂的「皮卡14」而言，發財路上有一些阻礙。另外4名因為沒來上班或沒參加集資，以致沒有贏錢的同僚，決定控告他們。

The lottery winning city workers also won their case thanks to good record keeping. Lawyers say it starts with photocopying the purchased ticket before the drawing and either handing out or displaying copies in the office.

拜妥善保存的紀錄之賜，這些贏得彩金的市府員工也打贏這場官司。律師表示，首先是開獎前就影印好所購買的彩券，然後把影本派發給所有參與者，或張貼於辦公室內。

新聞辭典

walk away/off with something：慣用語，形容輕鬆贏得某物，或拿走、竊取某物。例句一：The Mets could walk away with the championship.（大都會隊可輕鬆贏得冠軍。）例句二：I think somebody just walked off with my iphone!（我想我的哀鳳被偷了。）

at work：慣用語，上班中；運作中。

a bump in the road：慣用語，非正式用法，指問題或挫敗。例句：Their marriage has hit another bump in the road.（他們的婚姻又出現其他問題。）