West Virginia Mountain News
By Christy Keen

Congratulations, you are the winner of $3.5 million dollars! A "dream come true" that has turned into a nightmare for Chloe resident Ron Cummings. In April 1998 Mr. Cummings was notified by Publishers Clearing House Treasurer Daniel P. Doyle that he was a "major prize winner" of $3.5 million dollars. The letter urged him to send in his preferences for receiving his money: wire transfer to his bank or by check. Mr. Doyle wrote, "…please don't delay…" Almost 9 years later Mr. Cummings has had delay after delay—the Prize Patrol has not visited his home.

Ron Cummings is a genial gentleman; he is well-liked and respected in the community. He was forced to stop working in the oil fields in 1989 due to a stroke. But he kept his spirits up even after a second stroke in 1999. He has a small farm and enjoys a good trade and spending time with his grandsons: Justin & Derek Funk.

Ron is the son of Oshia and Jessie Deems Cummings. He is one of 12 children and was raised in the Procious area of Clay County, West Virginia. Ron is married to Lois Cottrell, a daughter of Rev. Okey Lee and Nellie Cottrell of Ivydale. They have two children: Travis and Terri. Travis is married to the former Chassidy Mollohan of Frametown and Terri is the wife of Big Otter Fire Chief Danny Funk.

Ron's family was thrilled when he was notified of his prize. "My wife thought I was crazy at first then I showed it to her (the letter)." Ron made plans to spend his windfall. He wanted to help his children and grandchildren. At the time his grandsons were only 7 and 9 years old—just youngsters. Publisher's Clearing House has avoided paying Ron what he was promised for almost 9 years. His grandsons are now young men; almost grown and ready to strike out on their own. $3.5 million dollars would make a difference in their lives if Ron had it to share with the boys he dearly loves.

When Ron didn't receive his check for $3.5 million in April 1998 he began a journey that boggles the mind. His attempts to contact Publishers Clearing House about his prize check quickly became an exercise in futility—none of the people whose names appeared on his prize letter actually worked at Publishers Clearing House! Even the "Executive Director of the Prize Patrol" who was to come to Ron's home with the Prize Patrol crew apparently was not a real person. Ron wrote letters to each person named then followed up with registered letters. None of the letters was returned and the registered letters were all signed for by someone at Publishers Clearing House—how mysterious.

It was at this point that Congressman Bob Wise suggested Ron contact the West Virginia Attorney General's office and their Consumer Protection & Antitrust Division. On January 24, 2000 they filed suit against Publishers Clearing House and called them "…misleading, deceptive..." The suit turned into a Class Action Lawsuit involving over 25 other States. Ron felt he would be better able to handle his own case and tried to get out of the Attorney General's lawsuit--it took him 2 years and copies of some of his documents including his award check have still not been returned to him. "…they didn't do anything…they could not help me…"

Ron spends several hours each week pursuing his claim against Publishers Clearing House. He has a friend, Justin Wizard of Chloe to acting as his helper. Justin is the Director of the Innovative Technology Research Center. He has been involved with Ron's claim for over 3 years and works closely with Ron to make sure all avenues are pursued to get Ron the money he was promised by Publishers Clearing House in his award letter 9 years ago.

Justin and Ron have set up a website for others duped by Publishers Clearing House. It is www.pchstinks.htm

One of Justin's mottos is "Miracles happen to those that don't give up." Ron certainly isn't giving up. He fully expects to receive the $3.5 million dollars he won and says, "I won't quit until they pay me what they say I won in their letters."

Home page Click