Pa. woman suing lawmaker over small cake prize

Oct 12 2012

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Pittsburgh woman is suing Democratic state Rep. Jake Wheatley, saying he only coughed up half of the $200 prize he promised the winner of a community day cake-baking contest.

Fifty-five-year-old Democrat Denise Robinson says the dispute isn't about the $100, it's about the principle.

The paralegal says, "If my state rep will breach a contract for $200, then what is he doing for $200,000."

Wheatley tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (http://bit.ly/Q5biLZ ) that the whole thing is a misunderstanding.

Wheatley acknowledges fliers for the Sept. 8 event tout a $200 prize, but says contestants were told the prize would depend on the number of entrants who paid $10 each. He says the prize was smaller because fewer people entered than expected.

Robinson says Wheatley should honor the flier.