Ex-Lawmaker Wins Lottery, After Buying Scratch-Off Ticket in North St. Pete

Frank Farkas – a former state lawmaker and St. Petersburg chiropractor – has won the Florida Lottery, after buying a $20 scratch-off-ticket at the Old Northeast Rally, 2131 4th St. North.

Farkas chose a lump sum payout of $815,515.72.

The win is the "$50,000-a-year-for-life" prize in a scratch-off ticket game.

Farkas is well-known in St. Petersburg. Active in Republican politics, he served in the House eight years – from 1998-2006. He lost in 2012 to Democrat Dwight Dudley.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Farkas' net worth is $3.5 million.

He is married to Toni Lee Witkowski. The couple has two children: Brian Alexander and Stephanie Marie.

Farkas holds an associate degree from (the former) St. Petersburg Junior College, and a bachelor's degree from Eckerd College. He graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Washington, D.C.

He has been active over the years in the Snell Isle Neighborhood Property Owners Association, St. Petersburg Jaycees, St. Petersburg Rotary Club  and St. Petersburg Small Business Council.

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