The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →In 2005, Norreasha Gill of Lexington, Kentucky, sued Cumulus Media over a prize she said WLTO-FM had promised as “100 grand.” She says she was told the prize was a 100 Grand candy bar, not $100,000. The lawsuit, as reported at the time, alleges breach of contract. Contemporaneous coverage does not report a ruling, settlement, or dismissal, and no later outcome is established in the sources this article relies on.
What happened, in order
The account below comes mainly from an Associated Press report dated June 23, 2005, which CBS News republished. Everything attributed to Gill is her own account as reported, not a verified finding.
- The promotion. Gill said the station’s overnight host, known as DJ Slick, promoted a contest to “win 100 grand.” She said she listened for several hours and became the tenth caller at the specified time.
- The pickup. She said she went to the station the following morning to collect the prize. She was asked to come back later.
- The correction. A message from the station manager reportedly told her she had won a 100 Grand candy bar rather than cash.
- The offer. According to Gill, the station manager later offered $5,000. She rejected it. The AP report quotes her: “I said I wanted $95,000 more.”
- The suit. Gill filed a complaint seeking the $100,000 she said had been promised. Legal commentary published in August 2005 says she also sought punitive damages.
The station and Cumulus declined to comment to AP. DJ Slick did not return an email from the Lexington Herald-Leader, and he said on his website that he had left his job. The station and company declined to say whether he had been fired, so that question should be treated as open.
What Gill alleged and asked for
The core of the complaint is a contract argument. Gill’s position is that a broadcast invitation to “win 100 grand” was an offer of $100,000, and that she accepted it by being the tenth caller at the stated time. The station’s position, as reported, is that the prize was the candy bar.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- MONSTER BAG: Hand out big smiles with this 100 Grand Halloween candy chocolate fun size 18.7 oz bag filled with individually wrapped chocolate bars
- HALLOWEEN CHOCOLATE: These delectable 100 Grand Fun Size candy bars are a classic treat made with rich caramel, milk chocolate and crispy crunchies
- SHAREABLE GOODNESS: This bag of individually wrapped candy bars is great for gifting and stocking your Halloween candy bowl with 100 Grand bars
- SPOOKY FUN ANYTIME: These fun size bars make perfect lunch bag sweet treats, Halloween snacks, party bag surprises and more
- HALLOWEEN CANDY: Add 100 Grand Fun Size Halloween candy to your trick or treat bowl—a classic favorite for kids of all ages
The dollar figures in this story are reported stakes, a reported settlement offer, and a requested amount. They are not statistics from a study or survey.
| Element | What is reported | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Advertised phrase | “win 100 grand” on WLTO-FM, Lexington, Kentucky | Gill’s account, as reported by AP |
| Prize Gill says she was told she won | A 100 Grand candy bar | Station manager’s message, as reported by AP |
| Amount sought | $100,000, plus punitive damages | Claim in the complaint; not an award |
| Offer reported by Gill | $5,000 | Gill’s account; the station did not comment |
| Court result | Not reported | Not established |
Why the phrase caused the dispute
“100 grand” conventionally means $100,000 in everyday speech, and a radio host saying it to a listening audience invites that reading. A candy bar with the same name can be read as a joke, a brand, or a simple misunderstanding, depending on what the listener heard and what was disclosed. That gap is the heart of the case. Whether the station’s wording was misleading is a question for a court, not something the reporting settles.
Rank #2
- UNWRAP RICH CHEWY CARAMEL: Add a little taste of luxury to your day with these individually wrapped 100 Grand Fun Size bars
- AN AMERICAN CLASSIC: These delectable 100 Grand candy bars are a classic treat made with rich chewy caramel, milk chocolate and crispy crunchies
- SHARE THE GOODNESS: This bag of individually wrapped candy bars is great for sharing the irresistible taste of 100 Grand with friends, family and even coworkers
- ADD FUN TO ANYTIME: These Fun Size bars make perfect lunch bag sweet treats, movie night snacks, goodie bag surprises and more
- A GIFT FOR EVERY SEASON: Ideal for gifting, 100 Grand is the perfect fun size candy bar for Halloween, Easter baskets, Valentine’s Day surprises and holiday gifts
The legal context
In an August 3, 2005 commentary, Kendall W. Harrison of Godfrey & Kahn described the complaint as a breach-of-contract claim seeking the $100,000 prize plus punitive damages. He wrote that FCC contest descriptions cannot be false, misleading, or deceptive, and that contests must be conducted as advertised. That is one practitioner’s reading of the rules at the time, not a finding that the FCC acted against WLTO. The coverage reviewed does not report any FCC enforcement action in this case.
The story is still useful for a broader point. Promotional language that sounds like a large cash prize can mislead listeners if the actual award is merchandise, and the dispute shows how quickly a catchy phrase can become a contract question.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Rank #3
- UNWRAP CRUNCHY GOODNESS: Add a taste of luxury to your day with this shareable box of 36 individually wrapped 100 Grand Full Size chocolate bars
- AN AMERICAN CLASSIC: These delectable 100 Grand Full Size candy bars are a classic treat made with rich caramel, milk chocolate and crispy crunchies
- SHARE THE GOODNESS: This box of individually wrapped crispy chocolate candy is great for sharing the irresistible taste of 100 Grand with friends, family and coworkers
- A LUXURIOUS TREAT: These Full Size candy bars make a great on-the-go snack or special treat in between meals
- RIGHT SIZE IN ANY SIZE: From Fun Size to Full Size to Minis, 100 Grand chocolate candy bars will bring a smile to your taste buds and your day
What is and is not established
- Established by contemporaneous reporting: Gill filed suit, the phrase “100 grand” was on air, the station reportedly described the prize as a candy bar, and the complaint sought $100,000 plus punitive damages.
- Not established: the court caption, docket number, the complaint’s exact wording, any ruling, settlement, dismissal, or payment.
- Disputed: what the station promised on air, whether the candy bar was disclosed in time, and whether the $5,000 offer was made as Gill describes.
Practical checks before you rely on a radio or online prize
Most listeners will never need to test a promotion in court, but the case suggests a few habits that cost nothing:
- Find the official rules. Look for a written rules page on the station’s site or in the promotion’s listing. Check whether the prize is cash, merchandise, or a value stated in words.
- Note the exact wording. Write down or record what was said, the time, and the station name. A recording of the on-air announcement is the strongest evidence if a dispute arises.
- Ask for the prize in writing. If a station tells you the prize differs from what was announced, ask for that change in a written message, and keep it.
- Treat a headline number as a claim, not a price. A promised figure is only worth what the rules say it is worth.
For a consumer who thinks a promotion was misrepresented, the first step is usually a written complaint to the station or company, followed by a complaint to the FCC if the issue involves broadcast contest rules. A lawyer is the place to go for a claim on contract terms.
Rank #4
- THE ORIGINAL 100 GRAND BAR; 100 Grand are a unique combination of chewy caramel, rich milk chocolate and crunchy crisped rice
- PERFECT FOR SHARING; These 36 candy bars are individually wrapped, perfect for party favors or sharing at home or in the office
- FULL SIZE ANYTIME TREAT; These full size candy bars makes the perfect anytime treat. They're easy to eat and easy to share Break off a piece to share with a friend, or take one with you for a post lunch snack
- A TASTE FOR THE DIFFERENT; We’re passionate about the classic American chocolate of 100 Grand bars, adding a touch of enjoyment into every day with flavor so good we can’t contain it
- THE PERFECT HALLOWEEN TREAT; Trick-or-treat yourself during this spooky season to delicious Halloween candy
Coverage of this case stopped after the 2005 reports, so readers should treat the lawsuit as a documented allegation rather than a settled matter.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- UNWRAP CRUNCHY GOODNESS: Add a taste of luxury to your day with this shareable box of 18 individually wrapped 100 Grand Full Size chocolate bars
- AN AMERICAN CLASSIC: These delectable 100 Grand Full Size candy bars are a classic treat made with rich caramel, milk chocolate and crispy crunchies
- SHARE THE GOODNESS: This box of individually wrapped, crispy chocolate candy is great for sharing the irresistible taste of 100 Grand with friends, family and coworkers
- A LUXURIOUS TREAT: These Full Size candy bars make a great on-the-go snack or special treat in between meals
- RIGHT SIZE IN ANY SIZE: From Fun Size to Full Size to Minis, 100 Grand chocolate candy bars will bring a smile to your taste buds and your day
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
