HARRISBURG, Pa. — A lawyer working for a trust claimed a $456.7 million Powerball ticket sold at a Pennsylvania convenience store, leaving state lottery officials with no details about the person or people who will get the money.
A lottery spokesman said Monday the agency had no information on whether the ticket sold at a Speedway in Manheim on March 17 was won by one person or will be split among multiple people.
The ticket was signed by the Emerald Legacy Trust and Blue Bell attorney Andrew Santana. Santana, who also signed the claim form, did not return messages seeking comment.
"This ticket was signed by the trust, and under Pennsylvania's law, legal entities such as trusts and corporations have always been permitted to file claims here," said Pennsylvania Lottery spokesman Gary Miller.
He said Santana is the only person to have been in contact with the lottery regarding the jackpot winnings. It usually takes more than a month for the check to be processed.
Miller said the state Right-to-Know Law does not specifically address lottery winners, and the agency is currently reviewing its public disclosure policy.
Privacy issues arose in New Hampshire earlier this year, when the winner of a $560 million Powerball jackpot won a ruling from a judge that let her keep her identity confidential.
The Emerald Legacy Trust chose the $274 million cash option, with an after-tax value of just under $200 million.
The win is the eighth largest in Powerball history, behind the record $1.6 billion set in January 2016. It is the largest prize the Pennsylvania Lottery has ever awarded.
The winning numbers were 22, 57, 59, 60, and 66, with Powerball number 7.
In the UK, lottery players have the right to remain anonymous, without jumping through hoops. All US states should give all players the same right.
" Miller said the state Right-to-Know Law does not specifically address lottery winners, and the agency is currently reviewing its public disclosure policy."
Just leave the winner, winners alone for Pete's sake Miller!
Congratulations to the winner/s!!
The winner/s have to wait for more than a month to collect the prize.
The previous winners of $202 million Annuity, in Pennsylvania, Steven, and Christine White can now breathe a little bit easier. They are no longer #1 in Pennsylvania. They chose the Lump Sum of $100 million.
I like the name of the Trust. Emerald Legacy Trust. I wonder if it has any meaning for the winner/s. We may never know.
I believe that the winner/s used the month and a half of time to line up their ducks. Smart.
Congrats to the lucky winner/s!
Smart person(s)..Must have listened to us fellow posters and followed our advice
Congrats and enjoy life
Love it when I see winners taking their time and doing their due diligence in claiming prizes. This is the way to do it! Congrats!!!
I do believe that they revealed the name of a previous winner that claimed via a trust
WTL Trust won $93.4 Million in December 2004
The PA Lottery revealed the three members of the trust!
Somethings in life are unavoidable. I would so love to read that the CA lottery is open to winners claiming via a trust with guaranteed anonymity. Barring that, it is “ advisable “ to keep a low profile should you become a millionaire & do not shout out at the world from the rooftops. Bench the idea of : Buying multiple mansions, lots of cars, throwing parties. Instead, try having a block garage sale, bring all your unused crap you don’t need & just pile that stuff up. If you seen driving a “ nicer car” a few months later, you could always say “ that garage sale money sure came in handy.” Who is going to challenge you? Nobody!
Forgot all about this unclaimed PB prize. They were smart staying under the radar like so many LP members have said they would.
IF!
Pennsylvania doesn't reveal the owner/s of the trust like they did in 2005!
How did they do that, through FOIA? Too bad whomever did this act hasn't gotten sued for it.
FOIA!
They issued a Press Release on January 12, 2005!
Congratulations to the winner/s
what’s the big deal If the winner/s wanted to claim via trust leave them alone 