Record Powerball lottery winner's life a mess after big win

Comment #22

Guest — Sat, 18 Dec 2004 00:22:55 GMT

heck like i SAID BEFORE I BE HAPPY TO HAVE ALL HIS MONEY WITH PROBLEMS. THEN JUST FIXED THEM ALL AND BE DONE WITH IT. HEY NEVER WINNING A LOTTERY LIKE THAT MAKES YOU WONDER WHY PEOPLE LOOSE CONTROL OVER THEIR LIVES. PEOPLE WHO CANT CONTROL THEIR LIVES ALWAYS SAY WISH I NEVER WON THE MONEY, IF THIS IS THE CASE give it away to people who need it and know what and how to use it

Comment #21

GoArmy — Fri, 17 Dec 2004 09:34:37 GMT

I personally think that the guy is going to kill someone while he's drunk. My father was hit by a drunk driver about five years ago and was disabled for the rest of his life.I was stationed with a guy in Virginia that won right at 100,000 dollars on the lottery there. He transferred and so did I, so when I saw him about three years later it was quite the little reunion. While I knew him he had a small but descent house, a good car and a junker (all sailors have junkers as a spare) and a really g... [ More ]

Comment #20

Todd — Thu, 16 Dec 2004 15:12:46 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by smd173 on December 16, 2004There should be a petition to claim jackpots annonymously. I know why the lottery says they make the names public. But since more and more lotteries are drawing their numbers annonymously (ie: via computer), why can't the players claim it that way without having to go through the trouble of making up a trust?States purposely don't have players claim prizes anonymously because it's one way that the public can have confidence in the game. The... [ More ]

Comment #19

smd173 — Thu, 16 Dec 2004 13:05:21 GMT

There should be a petition to claim jackpots annonymously. I know why the lottery says they make the names public. But since more and more lotteries are drawing their numbers annonymously (ie: via computer), why can't the players claim it that way without having to go through the trouble of making up a trust

Comment #18

Maverick — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 23:28:35 GMT

If Jack Whittaker reads LP, he can get some good advice

Comment #17

fja — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 22:27:11 GMT

should have bought that Island that Mel Gibson was looking at....15 million is all he paid for it.....talk about getting away from the crowds......

Comment #16

DoubleDown — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 22:02:59 GMT

Can you believe the way he looks ?I remember seeing him at the press conferences/ Today show, etc... when he won just 2 short years ago......A smiling happy- go -lucky man in a 10 gallon cowboy hat.Now look at him. Broken down, haggard, weary, but still has more money than common sense !!!Jack-- It is never too late to get your mind right . Do as tg636 suggests.You have what millions of people dream about. Cherish it and start appreciating it instead of trying to kill yourself.DD

Comment #15

golotto — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 18:44:40 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by tg636 on December 15, 2004The only way to see if being the biggest jackpot winner sends people spinning in a downward spiral is to see what happens to the person who wins more than Jack.

Comment #14

tg636 — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 17:32:03 GMT

I just can't believe that having $100 million or any amount of money makes you a drunk who crashes cars, goes to strip clubs and race tracks, and causes you to carry suitcases of cash that get stolen. The money gives you 24 hours a day to do these things if you choose to, but money doesn't force you to do them or become a drunken wreck.Was Jack implying that if his shenanigans didn't make the news, then he wouldn't be in the same sorry situation even though he would do the same things ? And y... [ More ]

Comment #13

highball — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 17:06:18 GMT

My take on this (since I'm the newbe on the block):I have more symphony for Mr. Whittaker's family than I do for Jack himself. His family was dragged into the spotlight when he won and because of it, they've had to suffer everything when Mr. Whittaker had made news over his careless behavior. Last year at about this time, the Whittaker's were featured in a newspaper story where they had told the reporter that they had regreated willing that $314 million jackpot. In addition to the constant hound... [ More ]

Comment #12

whodeani — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 16:21:40 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by fja on December 14, 2004good luck Jack,,,you need it......I think Jack got a lifetime's worth of luck on December 25th, 2002. His luck is all used up. Jack can't count on luck anymore to get is life straight.

Comment #11

kbcherokee — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 00:30:46 GMT

Jack Please come into my Tipi, we need to talk...Chief

Comment #10

nomoneybabe — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 00:02:05 GMT

I wish all of this never would have happened, Jewel Whittaker said. I wish I would have torn the ticket up.

Comment #9

nomoneybabe — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 23:46:57 GMT

Hmmm, the winner Jack looks tired and pale very much .. even looks older .I am so sorrrryyyyy to see the photo! Honestly ....I hope he will be fine soon....I asked myself: How can something make he looked like that ??? The worse thing according to me is missing of his grand daugher ??? No moreIf someone come to distub him for any bad reason he can hire a police to protect him!!!Why can he become so depressed ??? If I was him I will be super strong to WORK EVERY STUPID THING OUT!It is sorry I am... [ More ]

Comment #8

Maverick — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 23:10:51 GMT

>> August 2003, a briefcase containing $545,000 in cash and cashiers checks was stolen from Whittakers sport utility vehicle while it was parked at a strip club <<WOW>> This clown is not capable of handling a $10 bill, much less all those millions. <<LOL>> Whittaker has donated more than $20 million to charity since winning the lottery. Today, his charitable foundation is closed. <<Well at least he did try to do something right.>> I wish all of this never would have happened, Jewel Whittaker... [ More ]

Comment #7

fja — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 21:55:05 GMT

good luck Jack,,,you need it......

Comment #6

CASH Only — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 21:45:50 GMT

I live in Putnam County...NY.

Comment #5

unseen — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 21:36:18 GMT

Im reading some of this and laughing. People will find a way to sue you if you have money. Step on someone's toe oh you're that lottery winner...Im sueing Bump someone and spill their drink on them oh you won that big lottery ...let me see what I can get out of this You're a target when you have lots of money. But at the same time you can afford the best lawyers to get you out of a jam.

Comment #4

fengshui — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 20:26:19 GMT

He looks like he has aged 20 years.....wow....it can't be the money....it has to be what he is doing to himself.

Comment #3

acronym007 — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 20:15:05 GMT

i'm sorry folks but strip clubs and racetracks are nothing but trouble no matter how rich or poor you are. this has nothing to do with money, Jack would in trouble either way, we're just hearing about because of his status.

Comment #2

four4me — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 19:58:12 GMT

If you win big money you have to be willing and able to deal with the consequences of your actions. This guy was out of control. Is probably still out of control. Time may change Jack be he can't change time. He's has plenty of money to hire a driver but probably is to proud to let someone drive him. A third conviction if it happens for drinking and driving will mean a longer stay in jail. I hope he realizes that and doesn't drive drunk again.

Comment #1

golotto — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 19:11:19 GMT

If I had to do it all over, Id be more secluded about it, ... sounds like good honest advice from Jack to future jackpot recipients - along with an unpublished phone number.

Record Powerball lottery winner's life a mess after big win

Lottery Post — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 18:16:03 GMT

The worlds first glimpse of Jack Whittaker, winner of the richest undivided lottery jackpot in U.S. history, was of a boisterous, happy-go-lucky guy in a big cowboy hat who loved his family, work and God and promised to share his good fortune with the church and the poor.Two years later, the picture the public is seeing now is a mug shot of a haggard, somber Whittaker.Whittaker, 57, has been arrested twice on charges of drunken driving in the past year and has been ordered to go into rehab by Ja... [ More ]