PATERSON, N.J. — If you expect part of a lottery winner's fortune because you've already shared a long personal and business relationship, always remember: Get it in writing.
That was the reluctant decision of a state judge Friday, who cited state law in refusing to freeze the assets of Pedro Quezada, the Clifton man who won the $338 million Powerball jackpot last spring, pending the outcome of a trial to determine if his former live-in girlfriend is entitled to a share of the winnings.
Ines Sanchez and Quezada lived together for 10 years and shared ownership of a grocery store in Passaic, according to attorneys. Sanchez is the mother of one of Quezada's children, while each also has children from other relationships
She moved out of the recently purchased Clifton home where they were living together last month, attorneys said, noting she has a domestic violence claim pending against Quezada. Quezada's lawyers declined to comment on that or any aspect of the case.
Quezada chose a lump sum payout of $211 million and received a check for $152 million after taxes, according to state lottery officials.
A large chunk of the money already is gone — $57 million has been sent to the Dominican Republic, $5 million was given away, $300,000 was spent on the home in Clifton and $20 million can't be located, according to attorney Michael De Marco of North Haledon, who is representing Sanchez.
"I think we're kidding ourselves to say we'll ever see any of that money again," De Marco told state Superior Court Chancery Judge Margaret Mary McVeigh in arguing that the court should temporarily freeze the assets.
The attorney argued that irreparable harm will be done if the judge didn't freeze all assets until the overall case is decided. "If he is permitted to continue this course of conduct, there will be nothing left to talk about," he said of the money.
"This was a man and a woman in a relationship akin to marriage for 10 years, who have a child in common and lived with other children from other relationships," De Marco said.
Faced more and more over the years with the unspoken contracts of unconventional partnerships, state court rulings often recognized the investment made by domestic unmarried couples and ways to compensate for it once the relationship ended. But in 2010, the New Jersey Legislature passed a measure weakening palimony case law and providing little legal recourse for domestic partners seeking financial compensation without having some sort of contract.
De Marco argued, however, that Sanchez and Quesada were not so much domestic partners as they were a "joint venture."
"We're not seeking 'palimony.' The parties had a relationship where they pooled their resources and paid their expenses," he said, noting they co-owned and ran the Passaic grocery store that provided their joint income that paid their bills.
"One of the things this couple did was play the lottery," he said. "They devoted themselves to a joint venture ... So now we have an exception because one of the expenses has a return of $152 million?"
Attorney Jonathan W. Wolfe of Livingston, representing Quezada, argued that the couple was never married and therefore she has no claim. "Mr. Quezada individually went and purchased that ticket. They had never agreed to share the proceeds," he said.
He noted that Sanchez went with Quezada to the lottery commission and watched him, alone, sign the claim to collect his winnings without any protestations. "If she believed she had no claim then, she can't come here saying this now," he said.
Now she's saying that Quezada essentially bought the lottery ticket with one of her dollars, Wolfe said, and that is not a substantial enough investment to qualify as a joint venture.
The judge questioned if that was really quite what Sanchez was asserting.
"If I accept that was a 'joint venture,' there is a division of responsibility, a sense of reliance, a fiduciary obligation that is not always articulated ...I look at this as the ticket that he was able to buy because she contributed by working at the store, which then gives him the freedom to go buy the ticket," McVeigh said.
But in the end, the judge said, she had no choice but to deny the request to freeze Quezada's assets pending full trial.
"As empathetic and compelling as your argument is — and as much as I consider 10 years a long-term relationship — I don't have that in writing to hang an opinion on that these assets need to be restrained," she said.
She added: "This is a unique situation. It's something that most people dream about — stepping into the bottom of the rainbow, into that pot of gold. Or did you think I was going to say something else?" McVeigh joked.
But the joke was bitter-sweet. "That's what money does to people: It changes positive relationships into bad ones. It doesn't always enhance a relationship, or bring out people's better qualities. Her [Sanchez's] life has been up-ended by this winning ticket...But I am a judge. I don't create the law. I have to follow it," she said.
"Our Legislature has spoken. It specifically said, 'For these types of arrangements, relationships, to be upheld there needs to be a writing. You cannot go forward with these types of relationships without something in writing."
The judge refused to dismiss the overall lawsuit itself claiming Sanchez should get a fair share of the winnings. She did, however, refuse to stay her decision pending an expedited seven-day appeal.
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Drama at it's best. I hope and wish the best for him !!
"That's what money does to people: It changes positive relationships into bad ones. It doesn't always enhance a relationship, or bring out people's better qualities."
Well said, Judge!
Quote: "Ines Sanchez and Quezada lived together for 10 years and shared ownership of a grocery store in Passaic, according to attorneys. Sanchez is the mother of one of Quezada's children, while each also has children from other relationships."
I'm sorry, but I wouldn't call Ines just an "ex-girlfriend".
The lure of easy money, has a funny way, of bringing out peoples true colors. Lawyers rejoice!!!
Next, he'll be in court with the IRS questioning him where all this money has gone in this short period of time. Only $300,000 for a home? Yet he sends $57m to the DR, $5m gave away, and $20M cannot be found?
Very sketchy.
He still should have about $70 million left, where is that. He must have bought houses for family members in the DR.
how do you misplace 20M?????????? Makes me SICK!!!
if they both bought lotto and specifically if they ever shared a lotto win, even just $20, before then its pretty much done and dusted. 10 years of living together, and sharing costs? he better hope that $20 mill hasnt really disappeared.
Miss Sanchez attorney is reaching.Just because one is in a relationship for 10 years does not mean you entitled to a piece of the pie if you do not have it in writing and after that fire has gone out. Depending on how young their child is, she is entitled to child support and that's it, sorry but those are the facts.
I think lou Rawls the singer had a similar situation, he broke off with his long term gf and she took him to court claiming that he said he would take care of her " for life- no matter what". The Judge tossed the case.
If she somehow gets half or a third, this opens up a whole new section of the law where we could possibly see people claiming compensation for relationships going back decades.
Shocking News
$82.3 million already gone in just a few months. I'm betting he will be broke by next summer.
The IRS got their portion before he got his my dear, they going to want their 2nd bite at the apple come next year.He had better have that onhand.
" $20 million can't be found"- right. He knows exactly where it is. If one knows where their car keys are for the most part after misplacing them, there is no way you don't know where you misplaced any sort of serious cash, particular- millions.
Pedro...Pedro....I think if you look at the old posts when he won, a number of LP'ers predicted he was going to blow his money because he seemed to like the limelight too much. If you need that money to make you feel important and to say "Hey look at me", that money $ is going to disappear soon.
i think the pertinent matter is " where they together living in a shared relations, when the ticket was bought? " as far as im concerned ; which has no standing in court, they could be apart a week a day or a month. if they broke up, and then the ticket was bought its so long sucker. my way would also foil the breaking up trick , and then waiting a year to claim a prize, to avoid sharing.
A large chunk of the money already is gone — $57 million has been sent to the Dominican Republic, $5 million was given away, $300,000 was spent on the home in Clifton and $20 million can't be located, according to attorney Michael De Marco of North Haledon, who is representing Sanchez.
I knew he was an idiot for doing that when he won that jackpot and giving money away in the begining.. Come on $57 million gone in a instant like that also $20 milion...
If Pedro is not careful he will wind up dead.
It would be nice of him to share. 10 years is a long time. :)
Don't forget $57 m buys lots of real estate in that country. Thats most likely what he did. I pray. :)
This is why if i ever win a big jackpot i will get the 30 year payout and that is safe fall back and get more money...
Wow drama drama drama
i wanta be this guy's banker ,lol I'll only misplace a couple mill ,..and I won't spend it like wild fire .
Ines Sanchez said Quezada bought the lottery ticket with one of her dollars. My question is " Why didn't Ines sign that lottery ticket also? " If I were that judge in that lottery case, I would have asked that question.And If I were that judge in that lottery case, I would rule in favor of the defendant Pedro Quezada. All that Pedro Quezada and Ines Sanchez had was a business relationship, that's all, period.
This has to stop. Unless they were married, she's not entitled to a cent (outside of child support). Men, why get married if 10 years is all it takes?
Shacking-Up is not a MARRIAGE and should not be treated as such. Sorry Ms. Sanchez, but you didn't co-sign that ticket. If you couldn't get the guy to marry you during a 10 year relationship, what made you think he'd settle-down after hitting it big?
Pedro is planning to move back to the Dominican Republic. Gotta be a fool if you think he'll send 57m there without a motive and another $20M that can't be located. Kinda slick, but not slick enough. It will all catch up with him in the end.
Too bad. I liked Pedro @ first, mainly because everyone was wishing the worst for him and I always cheer for the underdog..lol
Yep. This lady was as ill-prepaired to win as Pedro. If it were her dollar he used to purchase the ticket, she was <snip> foolish not to have co-signed it. Even the state agrees that she's not entitled to anything. The judge is doing her a HUGE favor by allowing the trial to even move forward.
Umm..... He gave away $5m and I'm sure there's a gift tax the IRS will be interested in getting their hands on... Plus the $20m that disappeared...lol love that one....who loses $20m without knowing where it went??? Plus any taxes on interest and the rest of the taxes he won that prob hasn't been paid for next year.
He will be in court with the IRS, that will be the next topic on lottery post.
Right, there is a motive. Banks in the DR pay around 7% interest on deposits. It use to be 20%. The Dominicons i work with send money back all the time. Smart move by Pedro.
This should be interesting...Jersey does'nt recognize common law marriage
Moral of this story , both needs an agreement on paper and
they both need to sign the back of it ....
$57 million has been sent to the Dominican Republic, $5 million was given away, $300,000 was spent on the home in Clifton and $20 million can't be located, according to attorney Michael De Marco of North Haledon, who is representing Sanchez.
something doesnt add up .
ROTFLOL!
I have a confession to make. I am Pedro's new girlfriend and i have ALL the missing money.
Just watched again the press conference on youtube - the lady who introduced Pedro at the beginning said "Let me introduce Pedro Q and his wife Ines", so I thought he was married, but as we see now it changes everything for both parties.
How does Sanchez attorney know of how much has gone to the Dominican republic, charities & missing millions?
Could it be that Pedro & Ines discussed what went where and why? Is it possible that there was a falling out over this reckless spending? - just wondering.
I can't shake the idea that her attorney seems to know so much about the money, how did he come by this information?
I seriously doubt Pedro would offer that information to Sanchez attorney.
As they say, you don't pay em to stay, you pay them to leave!!! Hahaha, hummm, to live with someone 10 YEARS??? Men always come up short with live in girlfriends, it's never 50/50 - NEVER!!! wonder how much of the earnings from the store she got, if Pedro handled all money situations, before the win??? Ladies, you always need to know about money coming in MILLIONS GOING OUT??? Had Inez won, Pedro gets Half! And control of the rest! She watched him spend and send Millions outta da household? And no folding money of her own? She will get child support, no doubt, this case is complicated, $20 Million missing? Yea right! Interview store employees, will give insight of his money character....take care of family first, it's a mess! Hope he does right by Inez, no telling what she's been through!
You make valid points here HT- that is why shacking up is a bad idea especially in situations like these. He could very easily cut her a cheque for $20 million and walk away.Its quite possible that he did offer her a deal which she refused to accept, hence her lawyering up.
Had State laws gone along with common law " marriage" rights she would be entitled to a share, but as it stands- State law prevents her from having a leg to stand on.like you said, he should do right by her, write a cheque and say your goodbyes.
LOL shacking up...yeah its a bad idea, but how many of us have done it, and all you holier than thous no preachin please...but Miss Inez coulda married ole Pedro years ago, and if she didnt maybe he didnt want to, but she stayed there anyways, now he hit the jackpot and she's thinking she's entitled to something....yeah the grocery store I'd give her that and move the h--- on...20 million just vanished yeah Im sure Pedro knows where it just "vanished" to, and could lay his hands on it when he wants to.....
$57 million to the Dominican Republic? Sounds like Pedro just bought his own country!
Yep
Lesson for those shacking up who say that paper doesn't mean anything ... make it official. I know more than one shacked up couple that would run in the opposite direction should they land a windfall like this. Sad.
Get it writing, good decision by the Judge, case closed!!!
I'm shocked! Not really...
It is necessary to be VERY slow and careful when choosing who to live with and who to have business partnerships with. Some people don't want to, or simply CAN'T, get married or earn gross 6-figure+ income or whatever issue. Don't beat them up, instead simply head in an opposite direction alone. Being alone is often a good option.
Find out what your desires are BEFORE meeting people, so you can avoid deepening relationships which aren't congruent. Your needs and desires are important! Anyone who says "Let's wait and see ..." probably doesn't think their own needs or your needs are important. Spooky lifestyle.
I just can't believe that pedro didn't set up some sort of funds for his kids with all that money he had in the beginning. Sad situation they are in.-weshar75
He can give $5 million away without having to pay any gift tax on it. Which is probably why he stopped at $5 million and didn't give away more than that. So he obviously knew enough to do that. And just because HER lawyers don't know where $20 million went, doesn't mean he lost it. That's her real issue, he's hiding some funds and transferring some outside of the country, she's afraid he'll put all the money where she can't get to it. He's being smarter (more devious) than people are giving him credit for.
Totally agree. Together for 10 years, have a kid together, have a business together, why not just get married? But since they didn't, then she should have signed the ticket with him or gotten a contract drawn up. I never heard about a couple winning this JP; when news broke it was all about him, he bought the ticket, he had won it solely, there was no mention of her being a co-winner. I feel sorry for her but I think she's only entitled to get what he feels like giving her. I'm sure she'll get a whole lot from child support now. So she'll land on her feet no matter what.
That's what forensic accountants are for. He didn't have to tell her anything for her to find out about it. I think if they had been that open about what money went where, she'd know where that $20m is. I'm not saying they didn't discuss it, I'm saying they didn't have to for her to find out that information. I think hiring a forensic accountant is one of the first things her lawyer would have done. If she wants a significan't amount of money, they need to know where it is and how much is left.
Doesn't matter what she knows if she can't prove she's entitled to it, she won't get a cent. It's not like she was married to him and is now getting a divorce and splitting up community property.
What a shame that it has come down to this.
I remember thinking that his wife/girlfriend was good looking and that they were a good looking couple. Now fighting over money. Now look at the lengths Pedro will go to to hide the money from her.
I'm sure he offered her more money than she's ever seen but she and her lawyers are greedy and are trying to take him for millions. Greedy mothers.
The lawyers are coming! Run Pedro, Run!!!
Teddi- l am familiar with the term Forensic accounting, however that should not have been employed in this case because that works in " spousal divorces " these two were not married unless Pedro had her in on all financial proceedings including this jackpot.
Lots of lies going on between these two.
The problem isn't that they shacked-up for 10 years (who hasn't, really). It's that, she doesn't understand that she should have signed the darn ticket. Her lawyers are really reaching, here. It's not like he held the ticket, ditched her, waited a while, then cashed in after the dust settled. She failed to secure her portion by co-signing. Fail. Case dismissed. It's a <snip> shame that people are willing to waste money on lawyers rather than sit down and come to an agreement. Sooooooooooo much money could be kept "in-house" rather than funding some lawyers bank account.
Yikes.
This guy is going to be the next lottery casulty story!!! Geesh. I mean he is going to be B-R-O-K-E real soon.
"A large chunk of the money already is gone — $57 million has been sent to the Dominican Republic, $5 million was given away, $300,000 was spent on the home in Clifton and $20 million can't be located"
$57 million was sent to the Dominican Republic? Who was it sent to? Also, $20 million can't be located? Who's doing the forensic accounting there, the 3 stooges?
When I first read this story, mostly two words came to mind.
FU#!*NG RETARDS!!!!
Forensic accountants are used whenever one party wants to find the total assets of another party. Doesn't have to be spouses and doesn't have to be divorce related. She doesn't need to be a spouse or even an ex-spouse. She wants his money. She's going to try to prove she's entitled to a share of his money, her side of the aisle will do their level best to determine how much she can conceivably get, and they're going to want to know where it all is. That's simply due diligence on her lawyer's part. Seems pointless to me since I personally don't think she is entitled to a penny, but she can use those findings to significantly up her child support payments later on. I'm sure that will be the first thing she will do once she loses this case.
The IRS does not care how you spend your money as long as you pay appropriate initial tax and any applicable gift tax for amounts over the limit.
GOD bless SEX >>N>>AMERICA>USA!!
$20 million missing??? I'm pretty sure the IRS will wants it share whether it's missing or not. And I doubt he paid all taxes on the $20 million $5million and the $57M sent to DR. Or perhaps he did and that's why he blew through a large portion of his money so soon. Who knows??? I'll just kick back and wait for the next story, I know there will be more to come soon.