Includes video report
DES MOINES, Iowa — A Powerball jackpot winner from Bondurant, Iowa, who was elected to the state legislature says he would oppose efforts to let lottery winners stay anonymous.
At least nine states allow major lottery jackpot winners to stay anonymous, and some other states allow a form of anonymity by claiming prizes through a private legal entity. Earlier this year, Virginia became the latest state to allow lottery winners to remain anonymous — but only if their prize is greater than $10 million.
In Iowa, basic information is released about anyone that wins a prize of over $600. That includes name, city, and the amount of the winnings.
Officials say that lets people see that real people are winning the prizes.
Brian and Mary Lohse won $202 million in 2012. Brian, who is now a state lawmaker, says it's all about transparency.
"It certainly holds us accountable to the public to do good things with it. And having that notoriety does that but it's fading and it fades quickly. So, I don't have a problem with it," says Rep. Lohse.
VIDEO: Watch the interview with Brian Lohse
Each State is different. I understand State Representative Brian Lohse's position. Iowa's history with the largest lottery scam. Eddie Tipton is in prison.
Rep. Lohse's comments about still being hit up for donations and gifts is revealing. Even seven years after their win.
I will find a third party to say, "NO" to the beggars kindly. 😎
This much freedom of expression and opinion is a double-edged sword: Because it has or can have both favorable and unfavorable consequences!
It's easy for Lohse to say that ,since he is surrounded by corn not busy highways, dense traffic,nosey neighbors, the press driving around the block..looking for you.
I guess you've never been to Des Moines. I have. It's a city (a nice one), containing the attributes you mentioned.
noise-gate, State Rep. Brian Lohse would have benefited personally with anonymity.
He has probably talked with Terry Rich, Mary Neubauer, and other Lottery officials and has made this difficult decision.
Brian and Mary have been very generous to their local community.
We hear very little from past winners. This interview is quite revealing.
The reporter mentioned that Rep. Lohse supports mental health causes. This is one arrow in our quiver to fight against mass shootings. Start with the State level and see what works best.
Previous winners needed to pay for mental health care for themselves. They could have saved themselves from much trouble and agony. 😢
It all depends on where your State is on the Least Safe/Most Safe List of States:
https://www.safehome.org/resources/americas-most-dangerous-states/
Least Safe=New Mexico
Most Safe=New Hampshire
Sure l have, but it's no LA or SF. I guess the point l am making is, given the population of the State he lives in compared to others which do have millions more, it's " easy " for him to say what he did. This is not a knock on he's State, after all, we all have to live somewhere.
Todd, have you heard about this ?
<News story snipped>
With all due respect, that's a bit ridiculous. You're basically saying that the benefits or problems with anonymity only occur in LA or San Francisco. Maybe it would just be best to say that maybe your initial statement was ill-advised. When you're wrong, it's OK to admit you're wrong.
Frankly, a winner could hide out much easier in LA or SF than they could in a "corn field" like Des Moines.
Please do not post news stories in the forums. If you have a news tip, there is a form on the Contact Us page to report it: https://www.lotterypost.com/contact/newsSuggest
Thanks!
ICAM ...(I couldn't agree more w/you on this, music.)
and enjoy you day now.
l have no problem admitting l am wrong, but l was stressing population.