I guess - sadly so - crime does pay.

Get ready to spit your coffee:

“JENSEN BEACH (FL) ‚Äî Life has taken a startling turn for Edward R. Cowal. Florida lottery officials announced Monday that Cowal, who is a state registered sex offender, was the sole winner of the $14 million lottery drawing from Jan. 13.

Cowal, 47, whose name is on an eight-page record from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, elected to take a lump sum settlement of almost $8 million before taxes. He purchased the tickets at the Cumberland Farms Store at 10975 S. State Road A1A in Jensen Beach.

Cowal couldn’t be reached for comment and telephone service to his residence ‚Äî a one-bedroom mobile home in Windmill Village, a mobile home community on Hutchinson Island ‚Äî has been disconnected.

Attorney James “Mac” Stuckey of Stuart picked up Cowal’s winning check. Cowal assigned the money to the Quantum Trust, which he established to handle the funds.

Stuckey said Cowal had asked him to be his representative because he wants “absolute confidentiality” and does not want to be bothered by people. Stuckey said he could not comment on any FDLE records for Cowal.

FDLE records show Cowal is a registered sex offender and has an extensive record of arrests for alleged offenses beginning in 1993, ranging from burglary, lewd and lascivious or indecent assault upon a child, trespass, aggravated assault, driving under the influence, probation violation and high-speed fleeing from law enforcement. He was sentenced to 23 months in prison between 1993 and 2000.”

Perhaps his victims could come forward now and sue his ass since he has a buck or two. That would be justice.