$270M Mega Millions lottery jackpot claimed anonymously

Mar 17, 2006, 3:07 pm (53 comments)

Mega Millions

The winner of the biggest lottery jackpot won in Ohio has claimed the $270 million prize anonymously by forming a trust.

Toledo attorney Mark Mockensturm, a trustee for the M & H Blind Trust, made the claim Friday at the Ohio Lottery's headquarters on behalf of the winner of the Feb. 28 Mega Millions jackpot.

The winner chose to receive the prize in a lump sum and, after taxes, will get a check for $113.5 million.

The ticket was sold in Lyons, a farming village of about 600 people two miles from the Michigan state line and 30 miles west of Toledo.

Lottery officials said this was the seventh Mega Millions winner in Ohio, and the third biggest jackpot since the multistate game was renamed in 2002. It is played in 12 states.

AP

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liberal47's avatarliberal47

A very wise winner. Glad to see they had patience and forethought to protect their identity. Sure, word of mouth will erode their secret in their local area, but they shouldn't be as big a target, like Jack Whittaker was. Let their trust make those donations to charity.

DoubleDown

Very cool...

This is the way to fly !!!!

 

Let those that were wondering rest easy now.

 

sirbrad's avatarsirbrad

Ah man that wuss! With that much money you have nothing to ever fear again.

GuessWhat!

Ah man that wuss! With that much money you have nothing to ever fear again.

just YOU !!!

Todd's avatarTodd

Whoever it is, I hope it's a Lottery Post member. Thumbs Up

delS

Todd-

I have a feeling that it probably is a LP member, just because of an email that came forth earlier today on this site and your comment!  Nevertheless, they are after my own heart.  If ever I were to win, I would claim it in a trust as well!  Then roll out and into Goldman Sachs to handle all my investing and money management!  Good luck to M & H Blind Trust!

Staar

I always wondered about those " big prizes" claimed anonymously. Maybe its just my suspiscious nature, but wouldn't it seem that once you got the money, you don't have that much to fear from that point on , and it would be too easy for any lottery to say ,Oh yeh "the winner decided not to reveal themselves "and then keep the money for their use ? I mean really, who would know ?

Todd's avatarTodd

I always wondered about those " big prizes" claimed anonymously. Maybe its just my suspiscious nature, but wouldn't it seem that once you got the money, you don't have that much to fear from that point on , and it would be too easy for any lottery to say ,Oh yeh "the winner decided not to reveal themselves "and then keep the money for their use ? I mean really, who would know ?

I guess there's always another way to look at things.

DoubleDown

Perhaps this person chose this way to keep the wolves from attacking. 

Perhaps they know a lot of people that would line up with their hands out.

Perhaps they have a ton of relatives that would insist that they get a cut.

 

Whatever the reason it doesn't matter at this point....

DetroitJazzMan

I don't think that lottery winners are running from other people, it's the other peoples relentless persuit of seperating them from some of that cash that bothers them.  And lets face it....    A secret..... is only secret until you tell one person!... Just say NO! applies to more than drugs, and besides wouldn't it be nice to just enjoy the money without someone asking for some? Help who you want to help and the rest be damned 

 US Flag

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

I always wondered about those " big prizes" claimed anonymously. Maybe its just my suspiscious nature, but wouldn't it seem that once you got the money, you don't have that much to fear from that point on , and it would be too easy for any lottery to say ,Oh yeh "the winner decided not to reveal themselves "and then keep the money for their use ? I mean really, who would know ?

I doubt the state could get away with it, but that is a very interesting point, Staar. Maybe that's one reason many states insist on publishing the name. I was surprised to read the article, since I was under the impression the winner had to make a public appearance. So now I have to assume the decision is made by the state. Gosh, even the local lottery winner has trouble hiding. If someone wins on Wed night and there's no big news story, during a commerical break Thurs, I'll hear the anchorwoman say "Another millionaire in Lee County. Story at 11." Then I'll read about the winner in the paper after he comes forward. Then I forget his name anyway in a few days.

I also agree with Detroit Jazz Man.  I recall when once I made a big commission check after months of struggling. Although I'm not one to discuss money with friends or neighbors, I happened to mention I finally had enough money to pay off my credit cards and buy some new underwear! The next thing I know, people are asking to "borrow" money. I imagine if you win money, it's much worse, since people figure you didn't have to sweat for it.

 

uwantedtoknow

THIS IS MY FIRST COMMENT

the winner yes i know the winner or winners the person who won does live in michigan it is a female and not what everyone was perdicting she is unemployed doesn't own a home lives with family and has shared her wealth or at least is going to. she has split her winnings with family. everyone will know soon enough who won but for her sake i really hope they leave her alone going from nothing to everything will be hard enough and i'm sure with her family's history they will be worse than the media

SECOND COMMENT:

 SHE HAS ELECTED TO STAY UNDERCOVER GOOD FOR HER AND WAS ADVISED BY LAWYERS TO DO SO I HOPE IT BRINGS ALL THE GOOD THINGS FOR HER LIKE MOST PEOPLE THINK IT WILL BUT UNFORTUNATLLY I'M SURE THERE WILL BE MANY SURPRISES.

GOOD LUCK TO HER AND HER FAMILY!

Editgap

If I claimed anything ananynnomouslysly, it would be because I am solo and there is no chance for anyone to say that I won the jackpot. I could go on being myself with a lot of cash no one knows where it comes from.

mylollipop's avatarmylollipop

Hooray for the winner; very smart winner----a trust!

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