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.
Gee, I guess she's like a woman who only wants money. What is that called again? Oh, yeah, a whore. Hope she gets exactly what is coming to her. I'm imagining something nasty of coarse.
it will be quite interesting to see how this story unfolds.....I wonder how the pregnant daughter feels?
I think she'll get something down the line.
oh yeah she gone get something. They were married for 20yrs.
Probably the next lottery winner to go bankrupt.
You have it completely wrong Iris is nothing close to a whore. She has been married to Juan for nearly 20 yrs. The reason they separated a while ago was because of money problems and now the reason they are separating is because of money problems. I know exactly what happened she and Juan were staying together in a Hotel with Katty everything was fine. But a bit after Thanksgiving Iris Juan and Katty were discussing how the money would be used. Iris brought up that she wanted 5 million in a bank account for herself just for her peace of mind and 3 million for Katty so she wouldnt have to be asking for money all the time. Juan got upset and counteroffered 1 million for Iris and 100,000 for Katty in personal accounts. We are talking here about a man who has a fortune of nearly 60 million dollars. When I talked to Iris that night I told her if she divorced him she would get around 30 million minus all the divorce costs. You guys don't know Juan he is gonna be in strip clubs spending away and living the party and bachelor life wether he was with his wife or not. All Iris is wanting to do is save as much money as possible so if Juan would spend all of his money she and Katty and the baby would still have money left to live for the rest of their life very comfortably. They are on talking terms but she just doesnt want Juan to go and spend her part of the money on other women.
Wow. That just goes to show there are always two sides to every story. Hopefully the wife and daughter will be able to get what they need to be comfortable, and he will get his act together so he doesn't end up losing everything.
OOH well thank you for clarifying that. In that case I hope she does get what she needs.
Hi! How much she will get!
Unbelievable ... this wife!
Reading many horrible stories, I told to myself I trust no one!heehee, SOOO!
I hope I cant win the Big Jackpot before marriage,,,,heheheh! If not I would be very...very... angry ....
What a bitch this guys wife is. and they wonder why so many husbands murder there wives. and what this woman doesn't realize is the stinking lawyer she has is going to get a third of what she is awarded. these divorce courts are screwed up we men get shafted in these courts.
Ye'p it is amazing to know that this cat watches this web site along with his family nad all the people in his neighbor hood amazing small worl huh.
To bad he cant send us some of his change before he blows it away.
When you waste money / If its true what the above lady says he's going to do with it. He will be broke in about 6 months.
I'm so glad lawyers and p.r. firms have found this board.
Let's see separated then together after major windfall. I agree she will get something. Why weren't they divorced before? She would probably get something even if they were divorced. I don't care what he does with the money. It is his. They were separated. This whole country is full of people who think they are entitled. Marriage is for better or worse. It can't just be for better.
I sincerely hope she is a wonderful person but I'm a little jaded by past lottery winners' stories. The cemetary caretaker in my town won 2 mil in the lottery and his life has been horrible ever since. His best friend sued him for half. Another man in my area was sued by his daughter for spending her future inheritance. This tells me that lawyers deserve the slimey reputations they have.
You have to admit, we have heard the win/divorce story before. At least the posting produced a response.
Anybody who has built a life together over the last 20 years deserves half. My wife and I split after 10 years, and I felt she was rightfully entitled to half. Oh yes, I have not won the lotto YET! Powerball is 171 million. In the dvent, I hit the BIG one Mrs. H would be entitled to her 30% here in Texas for the kids. Its only fair.
I agree 100%, she deserves half.
I wouldn't even question that. As a matter of fact I told my wife to tell me immediately after we win if she should me right away. My wife could have half and 100% of everything that we own...
Not as if we would be dirt poor....
What would bother me if they got married AFTER winning the money...
Now to check my tickets...
PM #'3 13,17,35,45,50 PB02
MarkP
That is just it though, she threw him out because he was broke. Jesus, where is the justice? Take him back for 3 days and then divorce him. Think people. Listen to what is written. I hope the judge pays better attention. "Threw him out because he was broke." For better or worse. Marriage contract is broken before winfall. Get it yet.
That was media speculation. In part it was true but not the sole nor strongest reason Juan and Iris agreed to MUTUALLY separate. I won't go into detail. Legally marriage is not broken until you divorce. Some people are really exagerrating on here. Iris is just like me and any other mother in this world, she wants to financially secure her daughter and her grandbaby. If I was in her situation and my husband won the lottery and I knew he would be spending big time like I know Juan will I would do everything I can to secure a descent amount for my children. If that is wrong then lets let God judge her and not take it into our own hands to misinterpret the whole situation.
By the way im not a lawyer of Iris. Im blood related to Juan but Iris is a very close friend. And for the person who asked about how Katty is doing she is fine and in great spirits shes taking a pause from school to focus on her pregnancy and the good fortune that has surrounded them recently and she knows the divorce will be good for both of her parents.
The idea of marriage was broken long before, wasn't it? Sounds like it was a sad situation all around.
We don't exagerrate, we pontificate on this bulletin board.
The article said, "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."
I thought he was getting around $80 million. Now it has drastically dropped to $60 million?
Anyway, what does the divorce have to do with lottery officials making the payout? Why were they served papers in connection with the divorce filing? Someone please explain. I'm no lawyer, but the ticket was bought entirely by Juan, and Juan alone if I'm not mistaken. Shouldn't Juan get the money no problem?
Btw, I feel his wife should get some money since they are not divorced yet. It doesn't matter if she was a b*tch.
The woman is just trying to screw his money. If he was the kind of guy who would spend all he got he wouldnt put just 100K in his doughters bank account. 60 milion is way less then the jackpot was advertised, if the government keeps scruing witht the lottery no one will play anymore.
I don't think she is trying to screw him, it's just that if her lawyer had not serve the lottery with papers and Juan had gotten the money he could have easily did away with a lot of the money and that is what the lawyer wanted to stop. In most states the LAW is, if you are married you are entitled and being that Juan and Iris was married for 20 years and had not gotten a divorce yet, she is entitled. You know a lot of people be married for a very long time and in that time period get fed up. Now me personally I think, if this has been going on for a long time she should have been left him but she had here reasons for staying now she see the opportunity to get out and make a life for her and her daughter a little easier.
I think if as the lady say Isis wanted Juan to give here 5million and 3million for the daughter, then he is the stupid one what is 8million to your wife and daughter compared to giving up 30million. (now the money is on hold and the lawyer has to be paid-He is not using his head-he is the greedy one).
Iris don't have to be a whore or a b*tch, by law she is entitled. IF THE SHOE WAS ON THE OTHER FOOT JUAN WOULD WANT HIS TOO AND HE WOULD BE ENTITLED.
Some people think its right and some think its wrong but IT'S THE LAW THAT COUNT.
Oh and by the way I hear and I don't know how true it is but in the state of New York if you are in the process of getting a divorce it is against the law to bad mouth your spouse in the public eye.( it happen to this model who was married to this billionare and she lost custody of her twin girls).