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.

Very cool...

This is the way to fly !!!!

Let those that were wondering rest easy now.

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

just YOU !!!

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

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!

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.

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....

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 

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.

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!

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.

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

I won just 250,000 and just from word of mouth I was getting hit on like a hooker on Saturday night. Even after I gave everyone near me a taste, I was not doing what they wanted. I'd hate to see what it would be like if I won BIG money and the world found out. I've lost enough friends, and alienated enough family.

Lol.

Once again it all depends on individual circumstances, and where you live. Where I live you could walk uptown and tell people you won $300 million dollars, and they would just nod their head accordingly and mumble "that's nice," and continue on. Guess I am one of the "lucky" ones. No hiding here, the public has a very short term memory regardless. It is mostly all just winner paranoia.

i would do exactly as the winner did. form a blind trust. I come from a huge family but i only got 1 christmas card from my parents and a call from my brother.  Hmm I have some 30 first cousins...i would not share except for 3 people-my dad, mom, and brother.  I know no one would think of me if they won....is it bad to think that way? think only of those who may reciprocate?

Well as I always said and will continue to say.......When I win the big one, Those who were there with me before I won will be there with me after I've won.  That statement alone should let others know where they stand.

In that case I am truly glad we are friends now.

Staar again.. Let's face it ..everyone plays the lottery ,even myself, knowing what went.  We want to win! And if a person or persons should win a big amount,they certainly knows what comes along with it,or they shouldn't play at all. If it were me that one, all I was saying was,  that the other millions of people that played, deserve to know that there was a legitamate winner, a real person that exists. Do I believe that the the state or govt. could pull a fast one on the public and get away with it?Ask  yourself  if you still believe in the "lone gunman theory" or an actual "gas shortage"Two examples,of govt.  control that some still believe.

I am glad to read the winner's story here. I would respect his or her decision to remain anonymous as far as it's permitted. And, I hope that the winner would spend the money wisely.

Congrats to the anonymous winner!

They did exactly what I would do!!!!!!!!! Many good reasons to do this.  If I won that much money I would want to share with relatives and a trust is a good way to do that by making them owners of the trust.  They get the money and are responsible for the taxes. Not sure but maybe able to invest and defer some taxes.  I know in Tennesse they will only issue one check so if it waas a group also a good way to handle for tax purposes and avoid the gift tax rules

Congratulations to the winner!!  Hope their newfound prosperity brings them lots of blessings!! 

I think that winner was from DETROIT, MI. I don't know, just something told that was going to be the place the winner was from. I was born near there, (farmington hills) so you can see how I was excited about that last run. We don't know who the winner is, but I still say they were from detroit. A lot of smart people there. Real good schools.

you know what I hate? I hate those stupid store clerks who think they deserve some money just because they "sold the ticket" to you. come on!!!!!! I had one clerk tell me she'd help me all she could.... what does that mean? what, you going to help me pick the numbers? I don't think so.

Congratulations to the anonymous winner. I hope this person doesn't have problems later in life.

HAPPY  SATURDAY....3/18...."DD"

 As always great to read your  postings and ........May I Say " bullseye"?????

Thanks Libra, Hope you are having a good Saturday as well..

Playing the PB tonite ???

I already got my PB with PowerPlay tickets....

Good Luck to us all !!

DD

I spend all that dough on Mega Millions, and now I won't get to hear any of the wacky escapades of the jackpot winner. I don't know who to be jealous of (or not jealous of) this time!

I had some good comebacks awhile back for those pesky store clerks. They are like everyone else, they want to jump on the bandwagon of success but want nothing to do with the poverty wagon. 

I usually tell them that I will split it with them if they can come up with half of my total losses so far before the draw, then everything will be equal. That usually leads to a good chuckle, and a "good luck have a nice day."  Exactly. People love something for nothing. They donlt deserve squat, they are already being paid to be there. I doubt they would give you half their earnings.

I think most of the supermarkets around here have rules about clerks mentioning something like that. They used to kid around, but now they just say "Good Luck!" I'm very serious when it comes to buying tickets, so whenever anyone in the past, like a neighbor or coworker, has made a comment like "will you split it with me if you win?" I always smile and politely say NO!  Isn't there some law about a verbal contract being binding? Some day I bet we'll read about a lawsuit where a bunch of people accuse a lottery winner of saying she'd share the money. Maybe it's happened already and I missed it.

I also like to tell the store clerks to be sure to contact me if thet win as well for my cut.

If I'm ever so "Lucky" to win the Lottery that is the way I will choose to claim my winning's :)~

even if you don't win a jackpot and you win like a straight pick 4 or win 20,000 on a scratch off if you tell the wrong person people still line up at your door like you owe them something.i keep my lottery things away from my family in a safe.what they don't know want hurt them.i make sure not to make any large purchases and quietly stick the rest in the bank.then on payday at work i'm like well my gosh i got a pretty good check i'll go splurge,lol and they are none the wiser....

As far as I know, Lottery regs requiring them to ID winners are more focused on being able to publicize results - not prove they actually paid someone.

I would be very interested in having the option to claim as a trust.

Maybe one of my fellow LP'ers can clue me in. I sometimes calculate the percentage of the after-tax lump sum vs. advertized JP for Mega Millions - it usually comes in right at or above 45%.

According to the article, the winner received a check for 42% of the advertised JP. Does it vary by state to state? I know CA does not charge state income taxes on lottery winnings...maybe OH does? 

Even worst are those people who aren't your friends or family who see you spending $20 on lottery tickets and think you will give them $20-$50 just as easily if they have a good sob story.  As far as they're concerned you already have enough money to start giving some to them, they aren't willing to wait until you win the jackpot.

Why don't you check the Jackpot Analysis page at www.usamega.com?

Ohio does tax lottery winnings and some cities do too. 

HAPPY SUNDAY...."DD"...3/19

No, I didn't actually, and it worked out ok, because the Jackpot is now $$$$101 mills......

I hope you do win BIG....very very soon, because you are one of my favorite posters and really deserve something great like this to happen for you, really you do......PB or M&M

HAPPY SUNDAY "JUST".........3/19

You are another of my favorite posters, and I always enjoy reading what you post.

 .....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. ...

lolololol.....loved it....that was really good....lololololol

(btw) I went into CVS Drug store this afternoon, I don't know if your town has a CVS, but you can purchase all kinds of things in there, and all I needed was a new pair of Black tights and a Newspaper. I figured it would only cost $1.99 for the tights alone.LOLOLO.. to my surprise they cost $5.99(only 1pair)....lololol....leggs tights. So now, cheap tights can cost as much as Department Store Retail.lolololol...I think, I should also get a "fast track" on your 'commission' lolololo.....

HAPPY SUNDAY.........ANYWAY..........

LOLOLOLOOOLOL...............I must say you have a terrific sense of humor.....

"I won just 250,000 and just from word of mouth I was getting hit on like a hooker on Saturday night."

You know, it's impossible to please everyone. The upside here, is that now that you have expressed your generosity to those around you, it will not be necessary again, at least not to the extent that you shared before...You don't owe anyone anything....If your family really loves you, and you 've shared what you could reasonably afford, then shame on them, if they feel alienated,  and those other people you say you lost, were  'lost'  to begin with, and never truly your friends in the fst place.........

HAPPY SUNDAY 'DRIVE'

In the State of Maryland(you know, just one of the original  13 ).....

We are not required by Lottery Law....to announce ourselves thru news conferences or any other type of communications.  We can have an Atty pick up the Check for us, or have the Atty set up a sweet little Trust Fund, so the Lottery Execs can nicely deposit the funds right in, without ever showing the Public anything....In my case, as the option is always open, I don't know which way I'd do it, however, I do swear by Trust Funds, and would definately have a sharp Atty, set up such a Fund for me to live by. I really don't  care two straws who hears or finds out that I've won, if I should, one day be so fortunate.  I'm not shy, I have been photographed before. I don't need annonymity, but that in itself is fun. The mystique. Everyone is dying to know, who the winner is, what they look like and where they come from........

You dang right.. I am a store clerk, and I wouldn't split/give any of my winnings away..lol

I dont' expect anyone to hand out from their winnings.. that would be their choice and a silly one if they thought to do so..

I do have customers who tip when they are lead to the scratch offs that haven't hit that day.. I am wise enough to save that info for the tippers only... Think about it..