Inmate Not the Million Dollar Winner
ST. GEORGE, Utah, Jul 12, 2000 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Inmate Brian McCluskey
almost found heaven at the Purgatory Correctional Facility. He thought a bag of
M&Ms he earned for helping with chores at the jail was a winner in a
million-dollar national contest.
But McCluskey was only a first-place winner instead of a grand prize winner,
meaning he apparently will receive a coupon for a free 16 oz. bag of M&Ms
instead of the $1 million.
A spokeswoman for M&M Mars confirmed Wednesday that another person had been
verified as the grand prize winner, meaning if McCluskey does have a winning
bag, it's only redeemable for the free candies.
McCluskey is serving a one-year jail sentence for attempted possession of
methamphetamine.
The rumor of McCluskey's good fortune spurred a national news frenzy, with
Deputy Julie Pugmire appearing on NBC's "Today Show."
Pugmire gave the candy to McCluskey as a reward for helping her pass out
commissary items.
When he opened the bag Friday, the 27-year-old found candies that were sky blue,
white, purple - colors he'd never seen before. Other inmates told him he might
have won M&Ms' "Fix-Up the Mix-Up" contest, which they had seen advertised on
television.
Pat D'Amato, a spokeswoman for the candy company, based in Hackettstown, N.J.,
said a family of four had been verified as the million-dollar winners.
She said they asked not to be identified, even by where they live. They
purchased the candies at a Kmart store and plan to use the money to remodel
their home and finance their children's' college education. |
