Welcome Guest
Log In | Register )
The time is now 4:33 am
All times shown are
Eastern Time (GMT-5:00)

Anonymous Winner Claims $85.5 Million Powerball Lottery Jackpot

Feb 25, 2004, 4:38 am

PowerballPowerball: Anonymous Winner Claims $85.5 Million Powerball Lottery Jackpot

The winner of the Feb. 4 $85.5 million Powerball jackpot has claimed the prize under the anonymity of a trust, the New Hampshire Lottery said Tuesday.

The Bow Trust of Portland, Maine, chose the cash option of $46.5 million before taxes. Trustee Thomas J. Van Meer, partner in the Portland law firm of Van Meer and Belanger claimed the money.

"While we do enjoy the ability to meet our winners and help them announce their good fortune, we can respect the winners' desire to remain anonymous," the lottery said in a statement.

The ticket was sold at Gary's Beverage in Portsmouth, whose owners received $30,000 for selling the jackpot ticket, the eighth Powerball ticket sold in New Hampshire since it joined the multistate game in 1995.

AP

We'd love to see your comments here!  Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment.

16 comments. Last comment 8 years ago by goose.
Page 1 of 2

Slovakia
Member #3612
January 30, 2004
39 Posts
Offline
Posted: February 25, 2004, 5:58 am - IP Logged

I would do the same.

    KBear1118's avatar - disney14
    New Member
    Munster, IN
    United States
    Member #3920
    February 25, 2004
    1 Posts
    Offline
    Posted: February 25, 2004, 6:37 am - IP Logged

    I have to agree.  I have half sister that I haven't spoke with since my father passed away two years ago, and if she knew that I won a jackpot like that she would be on the phone before I could be my check.  I would not want to have my friends treat me any different if I won.  I prefer to keep a low profile.


      Slovakia
      Member #3612
      January 30, 2004
      39 Posts
      Offline
      Posted: February 25, 2004, 6:42 am - IP Logged

      But I am not sure if you'd be able to hide that fact from your family as you would buy new car or house...

      I am OK with my family but I don't need whole country to know I am a multi millionaire :)

        fja's avatar - gnome1

        United States
        Member #91
        January 19, 2002
        8173 Posts
        Offline
        Posted: February 25, 2004, 6:46 am - IP Logged

        smart move. I agree, I would keep a low profile also

        "Everybody has to believe in something...I believe I'll have another beer!"   = W.C.Fields                      

          MichiganHopeful's avatar - WINGS

          United States
          Member #549
          August 8, 2002
          134 Posts
          Offline
          Posted: February 25, 2004, 6:59 am - IP Logged

          Ditto!

            fxdwg's avatar - animal bear.jpg

            United States
            Member #2924
            November 25, 2003
            76 Posts
            Offline
            Posted: February 25, 2004, 8:15 am - IP Logged

            w

              Avatar

              United States
              Member #983
              December 30, 2002
              459 Posts
              Offline
              Posted: February 25, 2004, 9:55 am - IP Logged

              If you found out the names of a few local millionaires who got their fortunes in ways other than the lottery, handed the list to whoever was chiseling you for money and suggested they go ask these people for money instead, I'm sure they would look at you funny and think "Of course I can't ask those people for money, they haven't won the lottery! I can't ask people who actually did something to *earn* their money." 

                Magnu$'s avatar - nw logo.jpg
                New Member

                United States
                Member #3482
                January 20, 2004
                9 Posts
                Offline
                Posted: February 25, 2004, 11:05 am - IP Logged

                It'd be kind of hard for people to chisel me for money what with that long swim to the nice cozy island I purchase, not to mention the huge friendly guard dogs :) Secrecy is the smartest option, but not always the most fun.

                "In the codes of the warriors, there is a saying; 'Be strong, and do as you will. The swords of others will set you your limits.'" --p.10, Marauders of Gor

                  four4me's avatar - gate1
                  MD
                  United States
                  Member #1735
                  June 18, 2003
                  7162 Posts
                  Offline
                  Posted: February 25, 2004, 12:32 pm - IP Logged

                  It would only take one slip of the tongue if someone told somebody and that person told another it wouldn't be long before the media found out. And that's where the fun begins for them, and ends for you. Once your become a media target it's hard to make a move without them on your back.

                    RJOh's avatar - chipmunk
                    mid-Ohio
                    United States
                    Member #9
                    March 24, 2001
                    13921 Posts
                    Offline
                    Posted: February 25, 2004, 3:17 pm - IP Logged
                    Quote: Originally posted by tg636 on February 25, 2004



                    ............... "Of course I can't ask those people for money, they haven't won the lottery! I can't ask people who actually did something to *earn* their money." 








                    I can't speak for everyone that plays the lottery, but I  earned every dollar I've ever spent for lottery tickets.  People who try and chisel other people for money really don't care how they got their money. 
                    People with money usually live among folks with money and a lottery winner should do the same even if he has to move to another neighborhood.

                    RJOh

                    * that which happens most *
                    * is most likely to happen again *
                     

                    Thumbs Up


                      Slovakia
                      Member #3612
                      January 30, 2004
                      39 Posts
                      Offline
                      Posted: February 26, 2004, 4:37 am - IP Logged

                      I think I would move to other country too.  Maybe New Zealand..that's a wonderful country, but maybe not...I would miss my relatives, so I would move somewhere closer, maybe Switzerland.

                        BabyJC's avatar - Lottery-031.jpg

                        United States
                        Member #3331
                        January 7, 2004
                        148 Posts
                        Offline
                        Posted: February 26, 2004, 10:03 pm - IP Logged

                        KBear - I have a half-sister who is the same way!  Sad.

                        I definitely would go the trust fund route.  The lottery has to release the name of the trust fund (you can name it any silly thing you want), but they cannot release the name of the beneficiary (who is the lottery winner of course). 

                        I always thought that, besides people begging you for money over the phone, in person, etc., that others would intentionally try to get into car accidents with you or kidnapping and frivolous lawsuits.  It's just not worth it to come forward personally and always have to worry about that crazy stuff.

                        I wonder how long the $239 million Mega Millions winner will take to come forward?  Will probably be another trust fund (if they're smart)!


                          United States
                          Member #380
                          June 5, 2002
                          11296 Posts
                          Offline
                          Posted: February 27, 2004, 8:11 am - IP Logged

                          How much longer will "Maineiacs" have to leave the state to play Powerball?

                            hypersoniq's avatar - xls
                            Pennsylvania
                            United States
                            Member #1366
                            April 6, 2003
                            2444 Posts
                            Offline
                            Posted: February 27, 2004, 9:29 am - IP Logged

                            A Trust is definitely how I would do it...

                            Also I would pick the cash option...

                            hey, they stole my idea!.

                            Playing more than one ticket per game is betting against yourself.