Powerball lottery 'winner' turns coy

Oct 24, 2005, 6:47 am (49 comments)

Powerball

Steven West answered his front door Saturday morning, but he still wouldn't talk about his reportedly winning Powerball ticket.

West, a self-employed landscape contractor who says he won the record $340 million jackpot, repeated that the family would talk to reporters Tuesday after meeting with a financial adviser. Oregon Lottery officials said Friday in Salem that no one has contacted them about the winning ticket, which is not official until verified by the Lottery.

"We don't know what to say," West said. "We want to be really careful."

Wednesday's $340 million jackpot was a record for the multistate Powerball game and the second-highest lottery prize in the world, according to Powerball officials. The top prize was a $363 million Big Game lottery jackpot in 2000.

Oregonian

Comments

DoubleDown

Dude, get with that financial advisor and tax attorney , get the press conference over with and begin your new life !

The landscaping can wait for a bit..........

DD

Chewie

He's still answering his door? I'm getting some bad vibes here. When will his wife start passing out tea and crumpets?

whodeani's avatarwhodeani

If you aren't willing to say anything, then why would you let the whole world know you have the winning ticket in the first place. If I were him I would have just kept quiet about having the winning ticket and not said anything until I had all my ducks in a row.

Chewie

West, a self-employed landscape contractor who says he won the record $340 million jackpot, repeated that the family would talk to reporters Tuesday after meeting with a financial adviser.

One meeting, with one adviser? This guy is not coming accross as a mental giant.

Guest

YES I DO WISH I WAS THE BIG WINNER TOO, BUT I NOTICED ALL THESE BIG WINNERS ACT LIKE WOW LIKE NO BIG DEAL NO EXCITEMENT SINCE THE 21 YEAR OLD GIRL WON 56 MILLION AND WANTED TO BUY LAND FOR HER DOUBLE WIDE TRAILOR.

THE BIGGEST THING I SEE IN COMMON NO WORDS REPORTED ABOUT GIVING TO NEEDY OR HOMELESS, OR CHARITIES THAT IS WHEN YOU NO GREED RUNS OVER OTHERS, LAST WINNER STATED INVEST 99% AND SPEND 1%.

I HAVE MY WINNING SPEACH ALREADY PICKED OUT, AND I SHOW EXCITEMENT JOY, DONT NEED A ACCOUNTANT OR LAWYER OR SOMEONE TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO WITH MY MONEY, THAT MUCH MONEY YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT YOURSELF ENJOY YOUR WINNINGS BUT ALSO HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE.

JACK WHITAKER DID OFFER GRANTS OR SOME LOANS FOR PEOPLE EVEN KNOW HE BROUGHT ON A BIT OF HIS MISFORTUNES OTHER THAN HIS FAMILY LOSS OF COURSE MY HEART DOES GO OUT TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY.

I GUESS WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS ON WHAT TO DO WITH FREE MONEY, "IT'S NOT WHAT YOU HAVE IT'S WHAT YOU DO IN LIFE THAT MATTERS"

DoubleDown

If you aren't willing to say anything, then why would you let the whole world know you have the winning ticket in the first place. If I were him I would have just kept quiet about having the winning ticket and not said anything until I had all my ducks in a row.

I Agree!

 

My only words would be at the press conference and any questions I did not want to answer would be presented to my attorney( who would be there).

DD

whitmansm2's avatarwhitmansm2

I'm definitely going to keep quiet.  My hubby and I already said that I was going to claim it.  That way, his ex can't try to take him back to court for more money.  We'll play it cool until his kids are 18 and then have MORE fun!  LOL

The whole West thing is a little fishy though.  Do we know for a fact it was in OR?

How does everyone know that night what state won it?

Something isn't right with this guy.

 

DoubleDown

I'm definitely going to keep quiet.  My hubby and I already said that I was going to claim it.  That way, his ex can't try to take him back to court for more money.  We'll play it cool until his kids are 18 and then have MORE fun!  LOL

The whole West thing is a little fishy though.  Do we know for a fact it was in OR?

How does everyone know that night what state won it?

Something isn't right with this guy.

 

If you two are married, and "you" win he still would have to pony up ..at least for the kids, or are they not deserving ?

Yes, the winning ticket was sold in Oregon, because the computers know where it was sold. See all those bar codes on the ticket ? That's what they are for.

 

DD

whitmansm2's avatarwhitmansm2

Here in Kansas, I wouldn't have a finacial obligation to pay for them because they aren't "mine".  They deserve it, and that's why one lives with us and we take care of the other one.  The "mother" was getting $250 a week and still complaining she couldn't live with it even though she works full time making decent money.  (and that's just for the one child!!)

Thanks for answering my question about how they knew what state won!

Chewie

I'm definitely going to keep quiet.  My hubby and I already said that I was going to claim it.  That way, his ex can't try to take him back to court for more money. 

Is KS excempt from the community property laws? Unless they are, the wifey couldn't care less who has the money.

You're best chance at protection is an arrangement to have the money transfer made overseas, five minutes after the news conference, and a leased jet that leaves within the hour of the news conference. I would have a limo, with the engine running, and a helicopter close at hand. The lottery want 30-days to process the ticket? Fine, tell them to keep your name quiet and hold the news conference on the 31st day.

Atleast make it difficult for her lawyer to access you; use your winnings to hire a better lawyer.

bellyache's avatarbellyache

He really should have just kept quiet until he got everything worked out. He seems so unprepared.

golotto

Steve, plz validate that ticket....

Show the world the ticket ....inquiring minds need to know!

whitmansm2's avatarwhitmansm2

LMAO @ Chewie!!

LOL

I always get a visual when you write!

 

When they do his child support they never put me down as income.  When I got my inheiritence check, she knew about it and couldn't touch it.  Why would that apply and not the lottery??

DoubleDown

LMAO @ Chewie!!

LOL

I always get a visual when you write!

 

When they do his child support they never put me down as income.  When I got my inheiritence check, she knew about it and couldn't touch it.  Why would that apply and not the lottery??

Stephanie,

 

Of course your income doesn't apply to his child support and your inheritance was just that--yours.

I betcha that if you won the powerball, his ex would get an attorney and get something. Is it right ? No, but it is what it is....

 

DD 

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