Mystery winner claims $7 million Ohio lottery jackpot

Jan 27, 2005, 1:48 pm (5 comments)

Ohio Lottery

Someone finally claimed the Ohio Super Lotto Plus $7 million winning ticket sold Dec. 8 at Al's Convenience Store in Tiffin, but the person's identity is still a mystery.

Attorney Catherine L. Evans of Hamilton, Ohio claimed the prize for her client Friday at the Toledo regional Ohio Lottery Commission office. The winner, who chose the cash option, hired Evans to claim the prize for a trust fund called The Gottrich Presentation Trust.

Sandra Neal, public information officer for the Ohio Lottery Commission, said, "It protects the identity of the ticket holder."

After federal and state taxes, the winner who used the auto lotto feature, will receive $2,502,500. The ticket paid $3.5 million before 28.5 percent is taken out for taxes.

The winner does not have to pay city taxes since an ordinance Tiffin City Council approved in May - to collect a 1.75 percent tax on gambling or other winnings, took effect Jan. 1.

Neal said it takes four to six weeks from when the prize is claimed to get the check to the winner.

She said Al's Convenience Store, 614 W. Market St., will receive $7,000 for selling the winning ticket.

That amount will be credited to its invoice report Friday, Neal said. Alice Holt, Al's Convenience Store owner, was on vacation and not available for comment.

She has been the sole proprietor of Al's Convenience for four years and part of a partnership of owners for 20 years. Before Dec. 8, she has not sold a winning jackpot ticket.

The winning numbers were 23-25-29-38-44-49, the bonus ball was 36. The odds of matching all six Super Lotto Plus numbers are 1 in 13,983,816.

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iwillwin

So the new thing for Ohio winners is to be anonymous.  I can't say I blame them, though.  I have always thought the whole "press conference" thing was a little silly.  Do you really want everyone in the world knowing you just won a ton of money?  No matter how nice you are, chances are that someone somwhere doesn't like you.  By announcing your new wealth you are basically inviting people to bother and hassle you.  For people who like the limelight, good for them.  I know that when I win, I will definitely go the Trust Fund route.

rundown99's avatarrundown99

I have two questions.  First, how long does it take to set up the trust?  And second, do you think the winner will tell anyone once he or she gets the money?

fxdwg's avatarfxdwg
Quote: Originally posted by goldeneye26 on January 28, 2005



I have two questions.  First, how long does it take to set up the trust?  And second, do you think the winner will tell anyone once he or she gets the money?





 1)I would assume that it would depend on the speed and expertise of your attorney remembering he/she will want to rack up some billable hours. Still the way I would go

2) Speaking only for myself I would  not. It just doesn't make sense to go through the trouble of remaining anonymous only to later broadcast it.

Should I ever be so lucky after all the dust had settled I would slip silently away in the dark of night

LOTTOMIKE's avatarLOTTOMIKE

there is no way i could sit on a winning ticket for months,i'd be turning it in soon thereafter the win.....

iwillwin
Quote: Originally posted by fxdwg on January 28, 2005



Quote: Originally posted by goldeneye26 on January 28, 2005



I have two questions.  First, how long does it take to set up the trust?  And second, do you think the winner will tell anyone once he or she gets the money?





 1)I would assume that it would depend on the speed and expertise of your attorney remembering he/she will want to rack up some billable hours. Still the way I would go

2) Speaking only for myself I would  not. It just doesn't make sense to go through the trouble of remaining anonymous only to later broadcast it.

Should I ever be so lucky after all the dust had settled I would slip silently away in the dark of night




I have to agree on both accounts.  For me, I have both a good friend and a family member that could do this, so I would give either of them a little more than "usual."  By the way, I wrote my original comment before the WP story on Jack Whittaker came out.  Sure, it would be nearly impossible to not want to shout it at the top of your lungs, but the smart thing would be to take the money and run.  I will make a prediction right here and now.  If Jack doesn't wise up and put some of that money away that he himself cannot touch until later, he will be flat broke in less than two years.  Somewhere in this website, I read an article about what to do in case you ever win.  It was some of the best sounding advice I have seen.  I can't find it now, but it basically conveyed the point that you should spend a little crazy at first, to get it out of your system.  Then, live like you were living before.  If not, you will ruin yourself.  I don't have the actual statistics, but something like 60% of all lottery winners end up in bankruptcy. 
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