Mega Millions jackpot winner headed to divorce court
Posted: 12/6/2004 8:04:12 AM
The wife of Mega Millionaire Juan Rodriguez has filed for divorce, demanding her slice of the $149 million jackpot even before the check has been cut to her hubby.
Iris Rodriguez never bothered with the expense of the divorce when Juan was worth a whole lotta nothing, neighbors and friends told The Post.
She had kicked her husband out after months of bickering over how broke he was. But she had started a reconciliation with him just before he won.
Now Iris sees a chance to cash in and get out of the marriage, neighbors said.
Since the couple have been married for nearly two decades, a judge could grant her half of his winnings in the divorce.
That would amount to nearly $30 million, since Juan, who opted for a lump-sum payout, will get about $60 million after taxes.
A former parking-garage attendant, Juan bought the ticket for the Nov. 19 Mega Millions drawing just two days after declaring bankruptcy. He had a slew of creditors and only 78 cents in the bank.
Iris celebrated with Juan and his family for a few nights after the drawing. She was all smiles and hugs for TV cameras.
But relatives say Thanksgiving was the last time everyone was together. Iris filed the divorce papers Monday, just 10 days after Juan hit the jackpot.
The filing even included a motion to get his Ozone Park apartment.
Her lawyers would not comment on the filing yesterday.
According to court records, Juan does not have a lawyer and is representing himself.
Even though he has quit his job at the East Side parking garage, Juan remains in a strange purgatory between rags and riches, relatives said.
He's been staying in a Manhattan hotel with his nephew, according to his brother-in-law, Dennis Herrera.
"It was supposed to only take a week or two to get the money," Herrera said. "Everybody wants to know where the money is, and no one believes me that we don't have it yet. So Juan is staying in Manhattan. He just wants quiet."
A source said lottery officials were served papers in connection with the divorce filing. Lottery officials wouldn't comment on whether the divorce action would bar them from making the payout.
A court date for the divorce is set for Jan. 21 in Queens Supreme Court.
Source: NY Post
