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Lottery Winner On Food Stamps Faces Drug Charge

MOUNT PLEASANT (WWJ/AP) - A Michigan man who drew attention for continuing to accept food aid from the state even though he won big in a state lottery game has pleaded guilty to a drug charge.

Leroy Fick, 59, won the $2 million jackpot in the "Make Me Rich!" contest in 2010. Despite receiving about $850,000 in winnings, the Auburn resident attracted attention in May for using his Michigan Bridge Card, an electronic version of food stamps.

At the time, the state said the lump sum payment wasn't counted as income, which left him eligible to continue receiving the state aid.

Court records show Fick was pulled over for speeding in Chippewa Township by Michigan State Police troopers in September, when he was arrested for having the painkiller hydromorphone, for which he did not have a prescription. Fick was pulled over again for speeding in October.

The Morning Sun reports Fick pleaded guilty Thursday in a Mount Pleasant courtroom to possession of hydromorphone and driving with a suspended license.

Fick is due back in court on Jan. 12 to face sentencing.

TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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