California family's fight over $51 million lottery jackpot is over

Mar 28, 2013, 9:42 am (49 comments)

Mega Millions

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A year after winning the big $51 million Mega Millions jackpot, Bakersfield resident Etta May Urquhart took her son to court saying he commandeered the money and went on a spending spree.

(See Woman accuses son of taking $51 million lottery ticketLottery Post, May 6, 2012.)

Well, that lawsuit has now been quietly dismissed following a settlement agreement.

"I checked it twice before I went outside because I couldn't believe it," Urquhart told 17 News in May 2011.

Grinning from ear to ear, 75-year-old Etta May Urquhart sat beside her son Ronnie Orender in May 2011 and happily accepted the $51 million check.

But, the happy times soon ended.

The family took a $32 million lump sum payout, and Urquhart says her son hijacked the money soon after it was deposited at Moneywise Investments.

Last May, Urquhart filed a lotto lawsuit claiming Ronnie bought four different houses under his name, ten cars and a boat.

The lawsuit was dismissed as both sides carried out a settlement.

"Etta May was crying, telling me how much she loves her son Ronnie and how she has always trusted him, saying this, she said this isn't Ronnie," said attorney Barry Goldner in May 2012.

Orender who bought two homes in northwest Bakersfield, side-by-side, declined to comment Thursday, saying if he did he would be violating some of the terms of the lawsuit.

Urquhart didn't answer her door Thursday, and her attorney declined to comment, citing a confidentiality agreement signed by both sides.

But, property records suggest part of the settlement included Orender transferring title to some of the homes back to Urquhart.

Her lawsuit suggests Etta May bought the winning ticket, but was so nervous to sign paperwork to claim the winnings, she let her son sign on her behalf.

And, to deflect the media attention, Urquhart says she agreed to tell everyone she bought the ticket for her son who told us two years ago he did have plans for the money.

"Just put it in the bank and decide what kind of house we'll get and probably get some cars," said Ronnie Lee Orender in 2011.

Now it appears, the year-long battle over the cash has to come an end, though Orender's lawyer declined to say whether mother and son have reconciled.

Thanks to dallascowboyfan for the tip.

KGET

Comments

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

The fact that an attorney can argue on behalf of a son who raped his mother of her win-fall answers all questions as to why there is a global coalition demanding "Hell" gets upgraded before hosting some of these heartless wonders. The son in the meanwhile should be rotating between cell blocks. After all, variety is the spice of life!

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

I hope it's really over/settled.  May both of them enjoy the money (hopefully, half, after taxes, should get divied between each, if title(s) have to be changed over ).

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by Original Bey on Mar 28, 2013

The fact that an attorney can argue on behalf of a son who raped his mother of her win-fall answers all questions as to why there is a global coalition demanding "Hell" gets upgraded before hosting some of these heartless wonders. The son in the meanwhile should be rotating between cell blocks. After all, variety is the spice of life!

I Agree!
Probably thought that since Etta was up in years, she had no use for money. This son of theirs is a First class bottom dweller.He should serving time at Pelican Bay- California's 2nd " Alcatraz"

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

What on earth would you need 10 cars forWhat?. Glad Miss Etta May is getting some of the money which she should have been getting from day one any way. Shame on the son for doing his mother like thatNo No.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by Original Bey on Mar 28, 2013

The fact that an attorney can argue on behalf of a son who raped his mother of her win-fall answers all questions as to why there is a global coalition demanding "Hell" gets upgraded before hosting some of these heartless wonders. The son in the meanwhile should be rotating between cell blocks. After all, variety is the spice of life!

You were not there, so I find it hard to understand how you can judge so harshly? If she trusted him enough to let him sign the ticket and say "I gave it to him" she should have been happy with whatever he gave her.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by dallascowboyfan on Mar 28, 2013

What on earth would you need 10 cars forWhat?. Glad Miss Etta May is getting some of the money which she should have been getting from day one any way. Shame on the son for doing his mother like thatNo No.

I would need 10 cars to fill my TWO 6 car garages.

fwlawrence's avatarfwlawrence

Strange how a mother sues her son over a lottery ticket, yet the following story has coworkers sharing their winnings with someone who did not buy in.

Original Bey's avatarOriginal Bey

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Mar 28, 2013

You were not there, so I find it hard to understand how you can judge so harshly? If she trusted him enough to let him sign the ticket and say "I gave it to him" she should have been happy with whatever he gave her.

Classic Ronnie!

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Mar 28, 2013

I would need 10 cars to fill my TWO 6 car garages.

What you gonna do with the other two spacesWhat? I know buy two more carsWink

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Mar 28, 2013

You were not there, so I find it hard to understand how you can judge so harshly? If she trusted him enough to let him sign the ticket and say "I gave it to him" she should have been happy with whatever he gave her.

I don't think he gave her anything/not much that's why she sued.What?

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by dallascowboyfan on Mar 28, 2013

I don't think he gave her anything/not much that's why she sued.What?

Good point, but its still true that she gave him the ticket to sign and cash.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by dallascowboyfan on Mar 28, 2013

What you gonna do with the other two spacesWhat? I know buy two more carsWink

I was thinking lounge chairs in the other 2 spaces.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by Original Bey on Mar 28, 2013

Classic Ronnie!

Thanks, us Ronnie's have to stick together. lol.

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Mar 28, 2013

You were not there, so I find it hard to understand how you can judge so harshly? If she trusted him enough to let him sign the ticket and say "I gave it to him" she should have been happy with whatever he gave her.

The first story she said "he took the ticket", but in this story she said she was too nervous to sign it and wanted to "deflect the media attention" so she asked him to sign the ticket and fill out the paperwork. It looks like she is just objecting to how he is spending the money. We have no idea what the actual agreement was before she told her son to validated the ticket and it's possible she is suffering from dementia.

I believe her son did her a favor by settling out of court because if she really was too nervous to sign the ticket, I can't imagine her testimony.

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