USA Te Triple Six Fix


In the 1980s, a scandal known as the Triple Six Fix involved seven officials from the Pennsylvania Lottery manipulating the drawing process to favour certain numbers. Tis scheme specifically targeted Te Daily Number, a three-digit lottery game. Te plot entailed weighting all the balls in the three machines except for the ones numbered 4 and 6, which significantly increased the chances of drawing a combination involving those digits. On April 24, 1980, the number 666 was drawn, resulting in an unprecedented payout of US$3.5m. However, suspicious betting patterns quickly attracted the attention of authorities. Te mastermind behind the scheme was Nick Perry, the


host of Te Daily Number, who collaborated with Jack and Peter Maragos, brothers who operated a vending machine business. Perry also sought the assistance of Joseph Bock, a lettering expert and art director at WTAE, the Pittsburgh TV station where the lottery drawings were conducted. Bock conducted experiments by injecting paint into the


balls using a syringe, which made them heavy enough to bounce in the machine but not rise when the air vent was opened. Tis process resulted in selecting the non-weighted No. 4 and No. 6 balls as the favoured lighter options. Perry obtained access to the lottery machines through Edward Plevel, a lottery official, who, along with stagehand Fred Luman, helped to swap the official unweighted balls for the manipulated ones on two occasions: once before and once after the drawing. Perry had one key, while Plevel, who served as the Western District supervisor for the lottery, had the other. Despite leaving the 4 and 6 balls unweighted, the rigged draw resulted in the notorious number 6-6-6. Following the on-air drawing, Bock disposed of the tampered balls by burning them in a paint can at his studio. Te Maragos brothers capitalised on the scheme by buying


large amounts of tickets covering the eight combinations that included 666, while also placing bets with illegal bookmakers, which ultimately led to their downfall. Te bookmakers noticed the unusually high volume of bets on 4 and 6 combinations, and immediately after the drawing, they announced they would not pay out on winning tickets. Te suspicious activities of the brothers, along with an


anonymous tip, helped investigators connect them to Perry. Phone records further confirmed that Perry made a call from his booth while tickets were being purchased, deepening his involvement.


96


Te Maragos brothers capitalised on the scheme by buying large amounts of tickets covering the eight combinations that included 666, while also placing bets with illegal


bookmakers, which ultimately led to their downfall.


Ultimately, all seven conspirators were indicted. In the end,


the Maragos brothers, Luman, and Bock agreed to testify against Perry and Plevel in exchange for reduced sentences. On May 20, 1981, Perry and Plevel were convicted on multiple charges, including criminal mischief, conspiracy, theft by deception, and rigging a public contest. In response to the scandal, the Pennsylvania Lottery


implemented stricter security protocols, relocating the drawings to WHP-TV in Harrisburg and enhancing oversight measures to prevent similar fraudulent activities in the future.


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