'Wild' Willie says the drama is nonstop
"Wild" Willie Seeley of Manahawkin, New Jersey, has one piece of advice for the winner of last week's $400 million Powerball jackpot in South Carolina: Run. "Just disappear," he said, speaking from hard-won experience. "Get lost while you still can."
After Seeley and 15 co-workers from Ocean County's vehicle maintenance garage shared part of an even bigger Powerball jackpot last month, $450 million, the "Ocean's 16" celebrated the win at a press conference where Seeley stole the show with a cascading beard, tinted shades and a battered straw hat. "We are very happy, happy, happy," he said to hoots and hollers from the crowd. "I'm going to continue to watch NASCAR races on Sunday. Maybe I'll be at a log cabin on multiple acres of land."
The next morning, he and his wife, Donna, appeared on NBC's TODAY, where Willie (no one calls him Seeley) pledged to fish, hunt and generally do as he pleases. "I can do what I want," he told Matt Lauer, turning warmly toward his smiling wife. "We can do what we want."
Now, however, that sense of infinite freedom has curdled into regret. In their first interview since being thrust into the national spotlight, Willie and Donna appear less like the "happy, happy, happy" recipients of a blessing than the weary parents of a problem child. "There are days I wish we were back to just getting paid every two weeks," Willie said last Friday from inside his modest, antler-adorned home. "You have to change your whole way of life, but we didn't want to change the way we lived. We liked the way we lived."
Donna goes even further, calling their winnings "the curse." And while they wouldn't go so far as to give the money back, they're more than happy to pass the spotlight to an as-yet-unidentified dupe in the Gamecock state, a man who, according to South Carolina lottery officials, pulled off the road for hotdog buns and bought the winning ticket on a lark. "He doesn't understand," Willie said. "The drama is nonstop."
And it's a drama more Americans may experience as state lotteries expand, setting records for revenue and exciting politicians desperate for cash but loathe to raise taxes. A decade ago, jackpots rarely cracked $100 million, but now, thanks to more expensive ticket prices, new games and added retailers, they routinely soar to three times that princely sum.
In the last eighteen months alone, states have awarded the five biggest lottery prizes of all time, all of them north of a quarter-billion dollars, and those purses are likely to grow still larger as states experiment with allowing people to buy tickets with smartphones and credit cards, the hoped-for tools of perpetual gaming.
"There are a lot of zeros in this money," said Paula Harper Bethea, executive director of the South Carolina Education Lottery, at a press conference announcing her state's winner last week. "It's a life-changing event."
But as Willie's story makes clear, a life-changing ticket is also a complicated windfall. Willie's share of the $450 million pot was divided by two other winning tickets, and further divided by 15 coworkers, all of whom bought a ticket through a pool at the county garage where Willie worked as a warehouse manager. After taxes he had less than $4 million to call his own, which, as he put it, "ain't sh-t in today's economy."
Still, it was enough money for Willie and Donna to leave their jobs, Willie saying sayonara to the county, Donna resigning a dangerous nursing post at a psychiatric hospital.
She and Willie paid cash for new vehicles: a black GMC pick-up for him, a shiny purple Chrysler for her. Their neat one-story house had been battered by Hurricane Sandy, so they put a new roof on it, paid the mortgage off and made the backyard sparkle. Inside they gutted the bathroom, tossing out their old washer and dryer in the process.
Then they helped family, funding a house for one kid, a master's degree for another. Willie's father, a retired artist who gave Willie his country-peacock sense of style, has cancer — so Willie helped fund his second round of chemo, watching as his old man's prognosis improved in the process. "I do good deeds every day," he said, "just like Dale Earnhardt. And just like him I don't like bragging about it."
He also did something big for himself, making one of his press conference pledges come true by buying a cabin on 15 acres of land, about 30 minutes away. Willie plans to move there next month, full-time, a move driven as much by his hunting-and-fishing dreams as by his need to slam the door on a world of hucksters, criminals and professional show runners that opened up the day he won Powerball.
They arrived after his TODAY appearance, a cavalcade of long-lost relatives, sympathetic beggars and what felt like every reality TV producer in the country. "I pulled a .357 magnum on the last fellow who came walking up the driveway," he said. That seemed to work, but the phone won't stop ringing. National Geographic, A&E, Ryan Seacrest Productions — Seeley said he's heard from them all.
"They put me in the National Enquirer, next to Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. I mean I ain't into all that."
Not even for money? "Not for anything," Willie said. "Would you want a camera following you around all day when you finally have the time to go hunting and fishing and do all the things you wanted to do?"
Before all this happened, he and Donna had bills but at least they could be themselves, watching Duck Dynasty, a finger looped over a bottle of Moosehead Lager, friends on the way over. He says he bought a shotgun "for protection" and still can't act like a rich guy anyway. "I get cheap attacks," he said. "You never heard of a cheap attack? It's when you look at something you need, and think: Hell, I can't afford that."
"We're simple people," he said, posing for a picture next to his new truck, a shotgun in one hand, a practiced middle-finger extending from the other.
You got that world? Willie has a message for you too: Run.
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I don't think I would have done the interview on the today show. I know in oregon you have to do the press conference but you can limit what you say to people. I would hate to be hounded bye people though.-weshar75
Nightmare. I have a written plan for when I win to hopefully avoid these types of situations.
Maybe I missed something here with good 'ol Willie, but I don't quite get the issue.
It's not like he was the sole winner of a $450 mil jackpot. The JP was split all kinds of ways and the story says he cleared 'less than 4 million' after taxes.
So, why is this so overwhelming to deal with? That's a nice chunk of change and most folks should certainly be able to retire off that. But you don't need a battery of lawyers/tax guys/ financial planners to handle that amount.
And some folks called wanting interviews? Tell 'em no and hang up the phone. Change your number if need be, but 4 mil should not be such a life-changing event to deal with.
And yet....he is still giving interviews.
This guy was colorful so the press latched onto him. Going onto a national show was a very poor decision. Telling people how many minutes away he was moving also was a little too specific. We all are getting mixed messages from him...lol
So, here's the part I missed the first time---this guy and his group won just LAST MONTH? And he's crying a river already about exposure...while he's still giving interviews?
pathetic really....Grow up Willie the wimp!
Bet you all $, this guy is angling for a book deal. Mark my words, I said it first...lol.
Ummm wait a minute, the one who took home less than $4m is complaining of exposure as well as giving advice to a huge jackpot winner?... He seem to be trying too hard to be heard.
The thing is when you poor or living from pay check to pay check no one know you .Do you ever notice if you hit big people want to be near you?
That's life i suppose, But i would donate to churches, to my families and buy a 4 or 5 bed room House may a pool not too sure because i love the
beach to dip in , Oh a big yard because i love to plant things .But if i choose to, i can keep all for myself , And don't give away anything why ,because I am greeddy.Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!!!.
Dear Mr. Willie:
I am writing about your recent tragedy: Winning the Lotto. The people do apologize for hounding you, but it appears you have caused this at your own free will. Here's a thought- change your number, address, and whatever else you feel would be applicable for your succlusion. Simply put: DO NOT REVEAL YOUR PERSONAL ENDEAVORS TO DISCOURAGE OTHER WINNERS.
By the way, I am unsure if Mr. Willie is an LP member but this was meant in sarcasm.
LP Members, some people have timelines of what the process would be in case of a BIG payout. The media would not be a part of my timeline; however, I know you cannot control what other people do but you can control your actions. Yes, you will have people coming out of the woodworks looking for handouts or desperately needing your help. Guess what? I have a plan for them, as well.
That is all and thank you!
Sorry try as I might I just can't feel sorry for Willie. I play all the lotteries hoping toget lucky one day he wins and all he does is complain.
Thanks Members of LP Traemiah, and gma4150, and all the others we will be bless one day just don't try too hard,it will come one day.[.pc]
Yeah. Why would people hound you when you only cleared $4 million?
Mr Willie just wanted to be known, In other words he want people to know him , who he was then and who he is now.ok?
Arrowhead,
"Maybe I missed something here with good 'ol Willie, but I don't quite get the issue.
It's not like he was the sole winner of a $450 mil jackpot. The JP was split all kinds of ways and the story says he cleared 'less than 4 million' after taxes...."
There are undoubtedly a lot of people who don't stop to think swhat his share was, all they know is he won on the night of the $450M jackpot and they're going to put the bite on him.
I cannot agree with you more, ESR54.
This is just much ado about nothing. Little ol'Willie, appears to have delusions of grandeur, talking about himself, in the same breath, with Faith Hill and Tim. For a guy who claims that they are bugging him, he sure has an uncanny way of making himself available. It almost sounds like he feels he is not getting enough attention. $4M can be a lot of loot, but it does not compare to the monster jackpots of late. And for his "security detail", his shotgun...the whole thing is almost laughable. Little ol'willie is just seeking recognition and respect.
His mistake was opening up his pie- hole to the press..Being flamboyant and now regretting somethings is too little too late.
Having long lost relatives showing up is all his doing.l don't feel sorry for this sucker.
I know the first thing I'd do is talk to the media some more about it...
Thats his problem. He does not know how to shut up. On top of that staying in your home and thinking everything will stay normal - is foolish and absent from reality. Im glad Maryland has it where you can claim your prize anonymously. Just as South Carolia. The $400 million powerball winner is getting all his ducks in a row..........
So, let this be a lesson in what not to do.
I feel sorry for him because he can't be the same person he was. It sounds like he's always been "colorful" and outspoken, and forthcoming. And now he's being hounded over a measly little 4 million dollars, which really ain't worth s__t in today's world. I agree with him there.
And to a previous poster, he didn't compare himself to Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. He's ticked off that his photo is next to theirs in the Enquirer. He doesn't want to be in the Enquirer at all.
This is exactly why most of us players want privacy laws when it comes to claiming lottery winnings. We all want to keep on being who we are without people telling us it's our own fault when cavalcades of self-proclaimed relatives and friends we've never heard of start showing up at our door.
Heads up, he will be broke in 5-10yrs, and he will blame it on his "fans".
Money don't cure dumb.
"After taxes he had less than $4 million to call his own, which, as he put it, "ain't sh-t in today's economy."
Aww I feel sorry for him :( Not
I know what Im goin to say to the media....."Im really lookin forward to the roast beef" and then I ll get up out of my chair and leave. lol
Rule 1....if you want people to know you re humble ......dont go tellin them you are. Looks like he wants his 15 minutes of fame stretched to an hour.
If you can't deal with it ............. don't play LOL
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"4 mil should not be such a life-changing event to deal with."
It isn't apparently, all he's done is get a new truck for himself, a new car for the wife and some remodeling of his house and replaced its roof. I know people who have done that with just their savings.
you can't sneeze at 4 million calling it nothing in today's economy. it's still a lot. it seems he is more than willing to convey his spending habits and purchases publicly. somewhat of a cartoon character and the press pick up on it to some extent. i guess you have to make yourself as uninteresting as possible and divulge as little information as you can and you will probably be able to fly under the radar with your 4mil. he didn't, and is continuing to be out there. why?
The problem is not the money, it's the people. Doesn't matter that he only got 4 million, the calls will come whether it's 4 million or 100. The life changing event is not the money itself, it's the attention that's coming with the money and how you have to change the way you live.
Not that I would have a problem with that particular issue, just saying that that is his problem. Doesn't say anything about money management issues or anything of that nature.
I love how lottery winners are always crying and complaining about how their jackpot win is a curse and how they wish they can go back to their normal lives living paycheck to paycheck but are NEVER willing to fork over their jackpot cash and go back to work for their paycheck 2 paycheck living lifestyle..lol
If you've won millions and want to live like u were living paycheck to paycheck that can easily be done by setting a budget. It's much harder to do it the other way around..lol
Just because u have millions does not mean you have to have the lifestyle of a millionaire. The more flamboyant u are with money and fame the more unwanted attention you wil receive.
If you don't like the attention then stay ya @ss out the spotlight and stop doing stupid interviews!
In his mind's eyes, he probably already fancied himself as a player on DUCK DYNASTY. All that name dropping, lil o'l Willie thinks, might get him a part on Duck Dynasty, or at least, a Moosehead commercial. For somebody who claims, that he does not want attention, the whole thing sounds fishy. YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS. Give back the money, and you can have your old life back, and we see how you feel about that. Probably start whining again.
hopefully once have moves into his new cabin he will have some peace/ privacy.
His net take home after all taxes are satisfied will be roughly $2.8 million which is nothing to sneeze at but in the minds of beggars around him they all think he won almost $450 million.
Willie claims he was content with his life and saw no reason to change anything after he won. This mindset as well as his obsession with the limelight is why his nightmare has begun.
I'll take their problem off their hands, just give me the money and you can go back to your old life. Problem solved.
Well, it's a good thing Willie didn't win the whole jackpot himself, or split it just a couple ways.
Dealing with $100-200-300 mil WOULD be a hassle in many ways (not that I'd really complain). Getting help managing it and trusting people to do so. Having your name out there in public and being associated with all those zeros. I could see issues that would not be a barrel of laughs associated with that situation.
But here, on one hand he calls it a "life-changing event" (it is; but is it really that bad?), then the next says $4 mil "ain't sh-t in today's economy." Say what?? Which is it??
Whatever...I wouldn't be complaining about people constantly wanting a piece of me and then the next breath posing beside my new truck for an interview in which even more people could see my face and know generally where to find me.
If you really just want peace and quiet in your new cabin, do you even talk about your new cabin?
Apparently if you're Willie, yes you do.
https://www.lotterypost.com/news/244611?q=Bunky+Bartlett
Willie isn't the first jackpot winner seeking attention after their win and probably won't be the last. Hey Willie, if you don't want the attention, don't do interviews and don't give out your address and phone number.
I agree! Also, if it such a curse and am sure he has heard of lottery winner stories before, don't play! We are responsible as to who we discuss our lottery winnings with. I think that is why it is so important to get out of town (ASAP). Learn to say no, NO. I play $30 a week on MM and PB and am not gonna let people make it a curse for me, when I win!! It is an investment and a chance of game, don't let people destroy your happiness.
$2.8M is enough for he and his wife to retire though. I think it's good that they spent on those six necessary, large immediate family items. I hope they can somehow declare their father as a dependent and therefore deduct his high cancer treatment medical expenses on this year's income taxes, payable next year.
Now, it is time for Willie and Donna to sit down and notice that they've got to: stop giving interviews and budget their combined spending to about $75K per year (and invest in at least 4.5% annual interest, their remainder monies [and a separate account for Federal Income and Medicare Taxes due by April 2014] for the rest of their young senior aged lives.
Netting multi-millions is thrilling!
This is why I'd ask the lottery to hold off on the press release/conference (whatever it is they do for people who refuse to do publicity, which is allowed here) until after I was onboard a flight out of the country. Go ahead blood suckers, show up in my driveway, send letters, etc. Ain't gonna bother me none!
I'm certainly not going on Good Morning America or whatever so everyone knows what I look like. I know how to say no, but reducing the number of times I have to is just more efficient.
l did not see the press conference on him or his fellow lottery winners but if he appointed himself the " spokeman" for the group- he should have said what he had to say and end it right there, but no- he decided to make himself available for more interviews and is now crying foul?
That calvary that showed up at his doorstep seeking alms are intent of bleeding him dry.
Beggars, people who claim to be your relatives though you have never met them, all kinds of business "propositions" from people you don't know...can be over whelming ...it takes more than just changing your phone number.....you need to move and still need financial advice. For your information, people are so brazen they will hit you up even if you won 400.00 dollars let alone a million. there are people who think they are entitled to what you have..period.
He likes the attention.
But I wish him good luck with his winnings.
All the more reason to end the drama he continues to play out in front of cameras and microphones.
Right wes. I don't know why any winner would agree to go on tv except to get in the screen actors guild.
Sorry, I have no sympathy for "Wild Willie". He should have thought things through before he made a spectacle of himself; the dude obviously loves the attention because he is still giving interviews. He let these people into his life; he's got to deal with the consequences of his actions now...
He ended up with less than $4million and has all this attention (most of which he brought on himself, interviews an such) and does not like it and this an that.
The guy just won $399million and you don't here a fuss about him lol
Old Gloria gave a small written speech for her $590million and maybe a pcture or two but no interviews or such. Or complaints from either of 'em
heheheeh ahhahahaahah
Old Gloria brought a home in a gated community and probably hired someone to do her Wal-Mart shopping so she has no reason to go where people would be watching for her.
Willies just a tad passive/agressive, he'll survive.
What's your problem Willie ?
Sure the lottery outed you, but no one forced you to appear on the today show,
I did'nt see you on that B/C I would'nt waste time watching that drivel !
Also I see you have the state police favoritism badge on the windshield of your new truck !
I wish people who win the lottery would stop making dumb decisions and then blame it on a "curse". Take responsibility for your screwups. Everyone should know by now that winning a jackpot has its risks.
Lesson 4 future lotto winners
http://news.msn.com/us/lottery-winners-stories-of-joy-and-woe
Have to agree , his MISTAKE GOING ON TODAY SHOW , IF you don't want attention ,
then you stay as far away from Cameras . He could of said NO. YOU DON'T READ
where the other winner in his group are on the news .
The media only put out the negitive stories , you never hear about the positive...
Brad Duke won 2003 and his story positive , their's many more out there ...
Winners live in Oregon and Portland they're being quiet ....Winners from Colorado
you hardly hear anything about them ...oh there's more quiet winners .
Guess you can't blame them ......they don't want to be "in the media " .
Have you ever noticed that with the majority of winners you don't hear much about them after their initial win?But with the "loser" winners like this clown,David Edwards,Whittaker and those other attention whores who do the lottery ruined my life shows are constantly in the news?
Not going to happen. I always find it really funny when people say the money they got is a curse, and yet not one of them has ever given it up and gone back to working for a living. This guy is full of it. Don't want the spotlight but always giving interviews. Don't want the money but ain't giving it up. Uh huh.
I might be slow, but what is the lesson of the article?
I might be slow but what is the future lesson of the article?
There will always be a percentage---a very small percentage---of people where winning a major Lotto prize "ruins their lives".
20 bucks says every one of these people had a significant amount of drama, conflict, and controversy going on in their lives before they won, and now it's magnified because of a big JP win.
The vast majority of folks deal effectively with a big win, and, counter to what many people wrongly maintain, don't blow their windfall on foolishness and recklessness or wish they could 'go back to their paycheck every two weeks' like idiot Willie.
Quietly take care of the family and friends you want to help, donate to some charities if you have enough, learn to say no to others and keep your piehole shut and face out of camera-range after the obligatory press conference for winners (if that pertains and you can't be anonymous).
Why hasn't Wild Willie taken his own advice?
His words to the latest Multi millionaire " Just disappear- Get lost while you still can!!"
I am surprised he did not say " Don't call a press conference, and for Pete's sake- don't say anything, just smile and wave, smile and wave!
The more I see him, the more I think it would be "Don't call attention to yourself, that's less attention for meeeeeee."
He should have kept his mouth shut and moved... he's at a different level than the people in his neighborhood.
Willie, until I walk a mile in your shoes I shall refrain from thinking anything negative or derogatory of your situation. I'd just like to borrow them for one week, I can make many things disappear , preferrably debt.
Blessings to you and your family - money cant buy health , just treat it. Money can't buy wisdom, only experience.
May your fathers health improve...cancer is non discriminating...
then stop talking to the press!!
when you buy a lottery ticket you understand that the win WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE....PLAN AHEAD PEOPLE ...
I think Willie is somewhat silly. In essence, he's blaming his lottery win, but it was his own actions which brought attention to himself. No wonder the saying goes that the only thing needed to win a jackpot is "dumb luck", because some people who hit aren't that bright.
THIS!
Just say no, Willie. And take your own advice. Disappear.
It doesn't matter that he won only $4m. People see $400m. That's the fallacy of doing a lottery pool. People think all the winners get the full jackpot because people are generally ignorant about the process.
Lottery winners seem to be put into a special class of wealthy people by many in society - that of a Walking ATM. I doubt most wealthy people who either earned their money or inherited it get as hassled.
From the various stories of lottery winners, one of their biggest problems is dealing with other people's demands and expectations. It's as if some people think lottery winners absolutely must give them money, no choice. Even if you're a complete stranger walking up to their door from the street.
The emotional blackmail and stress on lottery winners can be too much for some to deal with. They give in to all the demands, to keep the peace or to not look like a jerk, and end up broke. Even though Willie is doing exactly what a lottery winner shouldn't do (flap his yap), there's some good info there as reminder to any lucky future winners - Run and Just Disappear if you can. At least for a while.
I used to think that, but that's not really true. The people who earn there millions or billions get bombarded with requests as well, the difference is that the lottery winners get a deluge of requests all at once, people who slowly made their fortune got it over the span of time have their requests spread out. Plus those that worked for it usually have a PA or EA who bottleneck those requests before it reaches them.
ALL wealthy people are seen as a walking ATM. If you've ever seen the comments made about a multimillion dollar house or yacht that is so extravagant it makes the news, you'd see that the general view is that the owner of the property has no right to have all that money and they should give it away to this or that. Once someone is rich, suddenly society feels that the money should be communal property and they all should get a piece of it.
If you've ever been a part of an organization or a church and that holds fundraisers, who is the first person they turn to for funds? There's always one really rich person who is expected to shell out for everything, from building funds, to roof repairs, to buying all the candy or cookies.
People who are born into that kind of wealth or work their way into it, learn how to handle requests. Lottery winners historically have not.
But here is where the REAL difference comes in. People who work for their wealth can tell a moocher that they earned it and therefore they aren't going to just give it away to someone who is undeserving or who hasn't worked for it. When a lottery winner tells someone no, there's no real justification for it except no, they don't want to. There's expectation on the part of the requester and guilt on the part of the lottery winner.
My bottom line is i know how to say no....I don't care if i won it or earned it, it's mine and not anybody elses so when I win on my interview and believe me Im giving interviews I'll blantly say this..."If I have never heard of you before this big windfall or if you are in fact a relative of mine and I havent talked to you more than once in a year...you can expect to get the same amount of cash from me as you would Donald Trump, Bill Gates, or Warren Buffet and that amount my friend or relative is nothing...If you cant get it from them then you really cannot get it from me point blank"
O'l Willie is just looking for recognition, identity and respect. Trying to make us think, that he is a reluctant participant. in the interviews that he has willingly given. He is obviously interested in becoming some kind of a reality star.
Truly, if this tidy, net sum jackpot winner can obtain an additional $1M+ net via the media, maybe it is worth the 'looking foolish requirements' to he and his wife. Maybe he and his wife are recently good at reading opportunity and seizing small, open-window time frames that big media companies can afford to pay them quickly for!
I'd probably enjoy watching a 1 season reality show of this couple, if it showed them meeting with attorney and financial professionals, later summing up if/how they were satisfied/educated. How they began spending 2 hours per day on-line investing/checking/moving their investments around into six different industries and what trend charts they now include in their co-decision process, etc. What their financial results were for all of their investments at the end of the quarter, what % their accountant indicates needs to be paid towards taxes, etc.
I think this is a good theory. He will do a reality show then with a wider audience knowing who he is, will then get a book deal.
Yes, I see your point. Your last paragraph is spot on, I'm sure that's why you hear of those lottery winners who end up broke. They feel they have no real good reason to say no to requests/demands for money, so they give in. You have to be prepared to lose friends and tick off some people, even become estranged from some overbearing family members.
For me it's real simple, my money and I will give to whom I want. I can and would say no with no problem. I don't know owe anyone anything except to care for my parents. Everyone else can move on to the next lottery winner. I also don't need 4 homes and 14 cars. These winners who lose it all are not thinking clearly and it's their own fault. My favorite word will be no.
Ooh, an income trifecta!
I know it would feel uncomfortable at first but I'd get good at saying no very quickly, given the sorry examples of those lottery winners who did not say no. If you give away too much of the principal then your income potential decreases. For me, gifts would come out of the investment income versus reducing the principal amount right away. If you give big chunks of money away to people, most won't appreciate it; they'll blow through it then come back for more.
And yeah, I can't see the point in buying lots of houses and cars. Sounds like a pain in the arse to me. Four houses = four loads of property taxes, insurance policies, utility bills, landscaping, cleaning, repairs, etc., etc. You can only live in one anyway, what's the point? I'd rather have one nice home and rent 4 and 5-star accommodation wherever I travel to. Let the owners of those properties deal with the bottomless moneypit a home can be.
I agree. Concerning the traveling, I'd probably do what your plan is. Anyhow, I would probably, eventually find traveling to be too much of a hassle, and reduce to two-week travel to a different state/country once annually.
Winning the lottery has its advantages and disadvantages too, I think it's up to the winner how he is going to perceive such life changing event. I think seeking professionals who can guide you through this event will definitely help.
First big mistake was appearing on the Today show.
If I ever won a nice sum & they were somehow lucky enough to get ahold of me & ask me for an interview, my reply would be "HELL NO!"
The best way to deal with being hit up with money requests is to have an attorney or trustee be the bad guy. Just direct all requests to that individual and tell them to always say No.
Oh, and if you buy tickets in New Jersey, or really any state that touches the Atlantic Ocean, you'd better have a plan in place & be prepared to win at anytime.
Just don't do interviews. They can still live a simple life. Just stop talking!!! Win, collect, and shhhhhhhhhhh.