Forty-six years after one of the most infamous moments in Pennsylvania Lottery history, an artifact from the case — a ticket showing the numbers 666 — has surfaced in a Pittsburgh-area home and is being offered for auction.
Discovery in Saxonburg revives old scandal
John Zenewicz said he spotted the ticket at an estate sale in Saxonburg, a small borough north of Pittsburgh, and recognized the style from childhood. Zenewicz, who operates a small resale business and sells finds on eBay, said the ticket was encased and displayed on a dresser.
"I remember the style of ticket because my dad would buy them when I was a boy," Zenewicz said. "And I was like, 'why would someone encase an old lottery ticket?' and the only thing that could pop to my mind was that story that I remember. I was 10 years old."
After researching the background, Zenewicz said he learned a prior occupant of the house worked in law enforcement around the time of the scandal and may have been involved in the prosecution. He said he now plans to place the ticket up for auction.
What happened in the 'Triple Six Fix'
The episode dates to April 24, 1980, when a televised Pennsylvania Lottery drawing showed the numbers 666. The drawing's host, local television reporter Nick Perry, was later charged and convicted of fixing the game. Investigators determined that some of the drawing balls had been altered — investigators said paint was added to several balls to change their weight and influence the outcome. Perry was sentenced to jail time, fined and ordered to pay restitution. He died in 2003.
The resurfacing of a ticket linked to that drawing has renewed local interest in the case and in the memorabilia market for items tied to criminal or cultural moments in Pennsylvania history.
Why this matters locally
The finding connects to several local concerns: public trust in institutions, the integrity of state-run games, and the preservation of criminal-justice records and evidence. For residents of Allegheny County and neighborhoods around Pittsburgh, the story recalls a high-profile breach of that trust and the media spotlight it drew at the time. Collectors and historians also consider artifacts such as this ticket part of the record of Pennsylvania's civic life.
- Location found: Saxonburg, Butler County area
- Age of ticket: 46 years (from 1980 drawing)
- Case outcome: Nick Perry convicted and sentenced; Perry died in 2003
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Televised drawing shows 666; investigation follows |
| Early 1980s | Nick Perry convicted in rigging scheme |
| 2003 | Nick Perry dies |
| 2026 | Ticket discovered at Saxonburg estate sale and put up for auction |
Zenewicz said he suspects the homeowners were unaware of the ticket's significance. "What I presume, it's one of the tickets that was probably confiscated as evidence in Nick Perry, what the locals call the Triple Six Fix," he said.
Officials from the Pennsylvania Lottery or local law enforcement did not immediately provide comment through the outlet that first reported the discovery. Auction details have not been disclosed publicly by the seller as of the initial report.
For residents and collectors, the ticket is a tangible reminder of the case that prompted scrutiny of lottery operations and prompted reforms in how drawings are conducted and secured. It also illustrates how artifacts tied to high-profile local events can re-emerge decades later and draw renewed attention.
News Block will monitor any auction listing and any official responses from the state Lottery or local authorities as they become available.
