By Connie Mabin
The Associated Press

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio - The woman who said she lost the winning $162 million Mega Millions lottery ticket was charged Friday with filing a false police report.

Elecia Battle went to the police station with her attorney and signed a statement that she made a false claim that she lost the winning ticket, police Lt. Kevin Nietert said.

If convicted of the misdemeanor falsification charge, she faces a penalty of 30 days to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The charge comes a day after Battle, 40, all but admitted making up the story. Nietert said police pursued the charge to protect the lottery's integrity.

Days after the Dec. 30 Mega Millions drawing, Battle filed a police report saying she had bought the winning ticket but had lost it, possibly when she dropped her purse outside the convenience store.

Then, Rebecca Jemison, 34, came forward with the winning numbers and was declared the winner.