Sheriff: Woman moved $1 million from missing lottery winner's account

A business associate of missing Florida Lottery winner Abraham Shakespeare moved more than $1 million from Shakespeare's bank accounts into her own after he was last seen in April, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Dorice Donegan "DeeDee" Moore, who deputies say has made great efforts to make it appear Shakespeare, 43, was alive after he was last seen, moved some of his money into her accounts sometime after April, sheriff's office spokeswoman Carrie Eleazer said.

Shakespeare won a $31 million lottery jackpot in 2007. He was later sued by a co-worker who claimed Shakespeare - who has been arrested and spent time in jail on burglary, battery and child-support charges - stole the winning ticket. Shakespeare won the case.

Moore, 37, has talked to deputies about Shakespeare's disappearance, Eleazer said.

Judd has stated he thinks Shakespeare is the victim of a homicide. No suspects have yet been named. The Polk County Sheriff's Office and Heartland Crime Stoppers have issued a $10,000 reward for information leading to Shakespeare's whereabouts.

Last week, deputies said they were talking to Moore, in part because of actions they say she took to make it appear Shakespeare is alive.

Efforts to reach Moore at various phone numbers and via relatives were unsuccessful.

Deputies said Moore used Shakespeare's cell phone to send text messages to his family and friends - after he was last seen in April - to make it appear he was alive. She also paid one of his cousins $5,000 to hand-deliver a birthday card - with cash - to Shakespeare's mother. She also offered to turn over a house worth $200,000 to someone if that person would make a false statement to law enforcement that they saw Shakespeare alive.

At a news conference this afternoon, Judd released additional details about Moore's financial dealings with Shakespeare.

According to Judd:

On Dec. 27, 2009, Moore had lunch with Shakespeare's mother, Elizabeth Walker, and tried to convince her that Shakespeare was alive and well. During the lunch, Walker received a phone call from an unknown man who identified himself as her son. Walker does not think the caller was her son.

Moore told detectives she purchased Shakespeare's house for $655,000, and then purchased debt owed to him worth $185,000. She says these were cash transactions, but there are no indications that she paid any of this money out.

In February 2009, Moore assisted Shakespeare with opening a limited liability, "Abraham Shakespeare, LLC," and then gave herself complete signing authority. With that authority, she gave herself $1 million. Moore told deputies Shakespeare gave her the money as a gift. She has used this money to purchase a Hummer, a Corvette, a truck, and went on lavish vacations.

Eleazer said Judd spoke to the local media today because ABC's "Nightline" program is doing a segment on the case Thursday night.

Stay with TBO.com for updates.