A former beauty queen whose husband has kept about $600,000 in lottery winnings from her says she has a number for him: half. And Donna Campbell is suing her husband in her attempt to get it.
But American Airlines mechanic Arnim Ramdass disappeared after his wife confronted him about the secret, so process servers haven't been able to hand him the lawsuit papers yet, Campbell's attorney said.
"Here's a guy who for years has spent marital money on the lottery and at casinos, and he's always lost," Bruce Baldwin said. "And now he finally wins, and he's trying to keep it from his wife. That's pretty low."
Campbell, Ramdass' wife since 2005 and girlfriend for five years before that, said she suspected he was hiding something when he disconnected their phone and kept their television off. A postcard offering congratulations on a new house purchase was her final clue.
So Campbell did an Internet search on "Ramdass" and "lotto" and saw a news release from the Florida Lottery about a pool of 17 airline mechanics who won the $19 million jackpot on June 20.
"I said, 'Do you have any news you want to share with me,'" Campbell recalled telling her husband. "He said, 'No. What are you talking about?' I said, 'The lottery.'"
Ramdass told her he had bought the ticket for his daughter from another marriage, but Campbell didn't believe it.
"He had been buying those tickets for years, and he never, ever said one of them was for her," Campbell said. Ramdass and his co-workers have for years pooled their money every Wednesday and Friday for Lotto tickets, Campbell said.
The group opted for the lump-sum payment of $10.2 million, so each got about $600,000 before taxes.
An American Airlines official declined to comment on Ramdass' job status, citing employee privacy, but his co-workers said he has taken a leave of absence.
"Right now, all I want is justice," Campbell said. "With time, I will file for divorce."
wow. this is total deception. I was not aware that someone's job status is a privacy issue. Something tells me there is a girlfirend/mistress somewhere. The fact that he won on june 20th and she just now found out tells me that they are not sleeping in the same bed.
One time when I was at Harrah's in Cherokee NC playing the lucky shamrock poker machine, I lost money on a machine and moved to the next one.
A man came along and hit big several times on the machine i had moved from and he told me what i had done wrong. He got his money and put it in his wallet. Then his wife came along minutes later and asked him how he had done - he lied - and said not good. I thought "how deceitful."
Quote: Originally posted by johnph77 on Nov 20, 2007
"Ah, yes, 'divorce'. From the Latin for 'having your genitals torn off through your wallet'." — Robin Williams.
Campbell, Ramdass' wife since 2005 and girlfriend for five years before that, said she suspected he was hiding something when he disconnected their phone and kept their television off. A postcard offering congratulations on a new house purchase was her final clue.
Ya think??
"and he's always lost"
If he is this deceptive, it's possible he won a little money in the past, but didn't tell her about it.
John, I've seen the "In The Actor's Studio" interview with Robin Williams at least 3 times and I crack up every time, especially when he did improv. I think that's where I heard him say the line you quoted. He is so gifted.
In this case, whether or not they were married 2 years or 20 years, 1/2 of the money belongs to her. I'm sure if she won, he'd want half of her winnings. If they were legally divorced at the time of his good fortune, it would be entirely different, especially if they don't have children.
We don't know the entire story here. Although legally the money is also hers, it's possible they were already planning to break up, so he is resentful and doesn't want her to get his money because of a technicality. I hate to admit I would agree with him in that case, but rules are rules and the law can't be based on what might or might not happen in the future.
can i just point out one way of looken at this situation....she is a FORMER beauty queen wich means she most likely didn't work much if at all ...there is always 2 sides to a story that man most likely have a very good reason to hide it from her he knows her better then we do and knows she is all about the money reason he didn't speak on it is because he was going to get out of that marrige and that money gave him a door way to get out say what you want but i think ms queen is all about the mighty dollar and thats all she cares about
Quote: Originally posted by imsochill on Nov 20, 2007
can i just point out one way of looken at this situation....she is a FORMER beauty queen wich means she most likely didn't work much if at all ...there is always 2 sides to a story that man most likely have a very good reason to hide it from her he knows her better then we do and knows she is all about the money reason he didn't speak on it is because he was going to get out of that marrige and that money gave him a door way to get out say what you want but i think ms queen is all about the mighty dollar and thats all she cares about
Whoa!!! What a stereotype. If she was a golddigger, why did she marry an airline mechanic in the first place? I'm sure they make really good money, but how do you know she didn't support him while he got certified for his job or what she brought into the marriage? Saying a forme beauty queen didn't work much is silly. My high school math teacher was a Miss America finalist.
My earlier post said that I probably wouldn't blame him for being upset if they were about to divorce and it was just bad timing, but he's still breaking the law. If he filed for divorce or sought the help of a divorce attorney or they got marriage counseling, there would be a record somewhere. Still, they're legally married. If the courts start fighting over who was thinking about leaving his wife one day or who can't stand his wife any more or who feels he got bamboozled, every man in America could use that excuse!
Quote: Originally posted by imsochill on Nov 20, 2007
can i just point out one way of looken at this situation....she is a FORMER beauty queen wich means she most likely didn't work much if at all ...there is always 2 sides to a story that man most likely have a very good reason to hide it from her he knows her better then we do and knows she is all about the money reason he didn't speak on it is because he was going to get out of that marrige and that money gave him a door way to get out say what you want but i think ms queen is all about the mighty dollar and thats all she cares about
If a spouse stayed at home and did not generate formal earnings as we know them (a paycheck), there is still value in that job that he or she performed. Like it or not, that job is recognized by the courts.
No matter how many sides he has to his story, Ramd-ass did not have the right to take 100% of the money and walk away with it. Which ever way you slice it and dice it, she is entitled to her fair share...
Whilst what he did wasnt truthful, Him leaving her isnt illegal. Nor is him keeping the winnings illegal. Site the law chapter and verse that contends such . Keep in mind they were married a short time .The Federal tax will decide who is the owner of the funds and I doubt the wife will want to pay that out. Her best bet is to remove herself from the fiasco. It wasnt her luck that was changed by good fortune and I am a believer, married or not, that as an ADULT its that persons' money. Far too many women still live by the dependent addage that what is his is hers and what is hers remains hers.
She is welcome to create a lawsuit but I dont see her winning this battle after law fees and taxes.
Florida is not a community property state, I don't think. However, I would argue that she has a share under principles of equity or joint venture or partnership.
In addition, I would argue that she's entitled to ALL of the proceeds considering the husband intended to defraud her of her share and in fact absconded with all the money. That is fraud.
i think if this guy is not sharing his winnings..says alot about how he feels about his wife...she should have her cut of the winnings...if it were reversed im sure his lawyer would be in court...at least shes not serving him with divorce papers yet!!!!! ( i would)
If I read correctly they are still married. How is she entitled to half. If I win a $10 scratch off is half of it my wifes? Granted 600k is much more, but because they are married and he did not share it with her, that is not illegal but merely something different. Now on the otherhand, if she files for divorce, she really can't go after half of the winnings. She may be able to go after half of their assets (or cash left) but that is about it. He could spend most of it before the divorce, I don't think there is much that can be done. Sad story, but we don't know most of it.
wow. this is total deception. I was not aware that someone's job status is a privacy issue. Something tells me there is a girlfirend/mistress somewhere. The fact that he won on june 20th and she just now found out tells me that they are not sleeping in the same bed.
A man came along and hit big several times on the machine i had moved from and he told me what i had done wrong. He got his money and put it in his wallet. Then his wife came along minutes later and asked him how he had done - he lied - and said not good. I thought "how deceitful."
Looks like RAMD - ASS is about to get "rammed" big time!
"Ah, yes, 'divorce'. From the Latin for 'having your genitals torn off through your wallet'." — Robin Williams.
Campbell, Ramdass' wife since 2005 and girlfriend for five years before that, said she suspected he was hiding something when he disconnected their phone and kept their television off. A postcard offering congratulations on a new house purchase was her final clue.
Ya think??
"and he's always lost"
If he is this deceptive, it's possible he won a little money in the past, but didn't tell her about it.
John, I've seen the "In The Actor's Studio" interview with Robin Williams at least 3 times and I crack up every time, especially when he did improv. I think that's where I heard him say the line you quoted. He is so gifted.
In this case, whether or not they were married 2 years or 20 years, 1/2 of the money belongs to her. I'm sure if she won, he'd want half of her winnings. If they were legally divorced at the time of his good fortune, it would be entirely different, especially if they don't have children.
We don't know the entire story here. Although legally the money is also hers, it's possible they were already planning to break up, so he is resentful and doesn't want her to get his money because of a technicality. I hate to admit I would agree with him in that case, but rules are rules and the law can't be based on what might or might not happen in the future.
Sounds like bad karma is about to bite him in his RAMDass !!! I hope she gets all that Uncle Sam hasn't already gotten.
can i just point out one way of looken at this situation....she is a FORMER beauty queen wich means she most likely didn't work much if at all ...there is always 2 sides to a story that man most likely have a very good reason to hide it from her he knows her better then we do and knows she is all about the money reason he didn't speak on it is because he was going to get out of that marrige and that money gave him a door way to get out say what you want but i think ms queen is all about the mighty dollar and thats all she cares about
Whoa!!! What a stereotype. If she was a golddigger, why did she marry an airline mechanic in the first place? I'm sure they make really good money, but how do you know she didn't support him while he got certified for his job or what she brought into the marriage? Saying a forme beauty queen didn't work much is silly. My high school math teacher was a Miss America finalist.
My earlier post said that I probably wouldn't blame him for being upset if they were about to divorce and it was just bad timing, but he's still breaking the law. If he filed for divorce or sought the help of a divorce attorney or they got marriage counseling, there would be a record somewhere. Still, they're legally married. If the courts start fighting over who was thinking about leaving his wife one day or who can't stand his wife any more or who feels he got bamboozled, every man in America could use that excuse!
If a spouse stayed at home and did not generate formal earnings as we know them (a paycheck), there is still value in that job that he or she performed. Like it or not, that job is recognized by the courts.
No matter how many sides he has to his story, Ramd-ass did not have the right to take 100% of the money and walk away with it. Which ever way you slice it and dice it, she is entitled to her fair share...
Whilst what he did wasnt truthful, Him leaving her isnt illegal. Nor is him keeping the winnings illegal. Site the law chapter and verse that contends such . Keep in mind they were married a short time .The Federal tax will decide who is the owner of the funds and I doubt the wife will want to pay that out. Her best bet is to remove herself from the fiasco. It wasnt her luck that was changed by good fortune and I am a believer, married or not, that as an ADULT its that persons' money. Far too many women still live by the dependent addage that what is his is hers and what is hers remains hers.
She is welcome to create a lawsuit but I dont see her winning this battle after law fees and taxes.
Hope she gets the money, and some.
Florida is not a community property state, I don't think. However, I would argue that she has a share under principles of equity or joint venture or partnership.
In addition, I would argue that she's entitled to ALL of the proceeds considering the husband intended to defraud her of her share and in fact absconded with all the money. That is fraud.
Pay the lady!
half of $600Grand it nothing to get up in tight about.. I would say, "Don't let the door hit you in your Dumbass when you leave."
i think if this guy is not sharing his winnings..says alot about how he feels about his wife...she should have her cut of the winnings...if it were reversed im sure his lawyer would be in court...at least shes not serving him with divorce papers yet!!!!! ( i would)
If I read correctly they are still married. How is she entitled to half. If I win a $10 scratch off is half of it my wifes? Granted 600k is much more, but because they are married and he did not share it with her, that is not illegal but merely something different. Now on the otherhand, if she files for divorce, she really can't go after half of the winnings. She may be able to go after half of their assets (or cash left) but that is about it. He could spend most of it before the divorce, I don't think there is much that can be done. Sad story, but we don't know most of it.