Virginia man claims $200M Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Comment #46

iGlenn — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:04:06 GMT

Posted from the NC lottery FAQ:

Q: If I should win a large top prize, do I have the option of remaining anonymous with regard to the media and the public?: The NCEL will consider a winner s name, city/county, and the prize amount a matter of public record, unless the winner produces a valid protective order or Address Confidentiality Program authorization card.

It is possible to remain anonymous. You just have to qualify the the Address Confidentiality Program authorization card.

Comment #45

KY Floyd — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 06:45:55 GMT

Sorry if it makes you nervous, but you can't be anonymous in NC, either.

Comment #44

dk1421 — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:48:50 GMT

This is why I'm happy NC has MM now. I always played driving through VA, but got nervous when I discovered you couldn't be anonymous when you claimed it.

Hmmm....maybe that's why I didn't win....YET

Comment #43

THRUST — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:39:34 GMT

On one hand it would be totally sweet to win this kind of money...on the other...it would be a head-ache.

*Reaches for the Tylenol

Comment #42

Perfecttiming2 — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:14:21 GMT

Original Post by KY Floyd:

Could you imagine knowing you're gonna have all this money but in the meantime live your life as is?

How much does life have to suk that you can't continue as is for a few months knowing you'll be getting that kind of windfall?

(I love the quote KY Floyd!.....Thanks for sharing!!!)

Also,

If he needed it, it's a safe bet that his advisors were able to get him a loan...

KY Floyd:

There are a few lotto winners who have actually done that............. [ More ]

Comment #41

McCaskey — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:00:33 GMT

That's about what I thought, although here in the midwest where I'm at the per-hour fee should be less than LA, I would think.

Doesn't really matter where you are, I suppose, it's certainly worth it if you win the Mega, Powerball, or high-end state lottos, even if overcharged.

Hmmm...let's see....who would I choose to administer my trust, or is that the law firm's job, in which case you're billed multiple times, right?

Of course, then there's the fees for your financial guy(s) and tax g... [ More ]

Comment #40

drhymes74 — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:53:49 GMT

iGlenn:

Same here with crossing state lines. Even though I would have to pay alot more in taxes by buying an out of state lottery, it is a small price to pay in the short term for safety and security in the long term for my family and me.

Comment #39

iGlenn — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:50:38 GMT

Agreed. But I'm also realistic.

I just simply vote with my money. I buy my MM/PB tickets in a state that allow winners to remain anonymous.

Comment #38

CAL-LottoPlayer — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:59:37 GMT

I believe the cost is dependent on the number of hours your lawyer requires. In the Los Angeles area, the total cost of a trust is about $1,000. I was told this by my lawyer's paralegal. At about $333/hour for an attorney, I estimate it requires a total of about 2-3 hours of work for a lawyer to set it up. This is a very general figure. You should call your local trust attorney's law office and ask since costs are different nationwide and vary for each lawyer. Some lawyers will want to make as m... [ More ]

Comment #37

CAL-LottoPlayer — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:51:23 GMT

Original Post by Perfecttiming2:

and as far as winning...........I KNOW that I am.........it is just a matter of time.

LOL. OK, I believe you. It's just that you might be an old man before you win, such as the VA lotto winner.

Comment #36

CAL-LottoPlayer — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:46:45 GMT

Rules are made by man and can be changed.

Protest, force them to change their oppressive rules!

Freedom

Comment #35

KY Floyd — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:44:20 GMT

As noted, claiming anonymously wasn't an option, but you don't need to start with anonymity if you've got half a clue, or good advice. That's one reason I don't think 5 months is necesarily a long time. Everyone's situation will be different, but everyone who hasn't already worked at being invisible has some sort of public presence that needs to be eliminated as much as possible. It's not hard to disappear if you want to. I'd start by waiting until I'd discreetly secured a new place to live, and... [ More ]

Comment #34

drhymes74 — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:20:14 GMT

AMEN rdgrnr

Comment #33

McCaskey — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:05:12 GMT

Anyone familiar with the cost of setting up a trust, just outta curiousity...for when I win, lol

Comment #32

Perfecttiming2 — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:57:05 GMT

Actually, the only way to REALLY find out IS to win........form the trust......and collect!

and as far as winning...........I KNOW that I am.........it is just a matter of time.

Faith: Sees the invisible.......Feels the intangible......Achieves the impossible

Comment #31

iGlenn — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:28:47 GMT

In regards to anonymity, you should know the rules when you buy the ticket. Don't buy the ticket if your not willing to play (or win) by the rules.

Comment #30

grave — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:35:18 GMT

yep they sure do..... if you play a Game in VA and win big or a top prize you have already agreed to their rules once you bought the ticket ......

Comment #29

grave — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:32:03 GMT

AMEN

Comment #28

OhioLottery — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:22:54 GMT

Hmmm. Wonder if they make non-residents follow these rules if they buy the ticket in the state.

*edited to add that I'm sure they do....after thinking about it. Makes sense to follow the rules where you play not where you live, I guess.

Comment #27

CAL-LottoPlayer — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:06:43 GMT

shortysonicg,

you sure do have a long post here. Are you writing a novel or something? While I think it is admirable you want to write (and type) here, you should know it is difficult to read long posts when they are not broken into coherent paragraphs. Paragraphs: use them, they are your friend. Also, you need to check your facts before you make your post. Using a quick Google search, I found this information at their valottery website:

Can I remain anonymous when I claim my lottery winni... [ More ]

Comment #26

CAL-LottoPlayer — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:56:36 GMT

Perfecttiming2,

I hope you're right. First I read the calottery website, then I read other posts and now your post. The only way to be sure is to speak to an expert lawyer on trusts. Although, the whole issue is moot since the odds of winning the Super Lotto Plus are 41,416,353 against you. I highly doubt I, or every Californian on this site will ever win.

Comment #25

Perfecttiming2 — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:40:29 GMT

Actually, you can claim your lotto winnings in CA through an LLC or a Trust......

The largest US lottery jackpot so far, was won by a group in Garden Grove, CA, they claimed it through a trust; if a group can claim it under a trust, so can an individual.

In fact there have been a few individuals who have claimed SLP and MM jackpots in CA under a trust or LLC.

The lottery in CA may not like for you to do that but, they can not stop you.

Comment #24

Jack Pot — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:24:34 GMT

your first post makes me very sad.....

Comment #23

ThatScaryChick — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:34:08 GMT

Wow, is all I can say. You are really a piece of work. All this nastiness over someone you don't know, someone who won a jackpot and did things differently then what you would have done had you won. May you get back what you wished on this man. By the looks of it, you deserve it.

Comment #22

rdgrnr — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:35:54 GMT

Do you honestly believe that annuity money is guaranteed the way our government is going now?

You're the most trusting or gullible person in the world.

When I win I'll be there immediately to get the cash before they default to China or something and put a hold on all cash outlays or sieze all instruments in the national interest .

You see the way this government keeps its financial house in order and you want them to manage your money for 26 years?

You're nuts.

One more thing. Th... [ More ]

Comment #21

fja — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:09:44 GMT

I played that night and am disappointed that the money I put into the prize pool is going to such a complete moron. I don't wish him happiness at all. I hope the money he's pocketed goes back to the schools somehow. - Posted by shortysonicg

Just how much did you play, that would cause your hatred? Must have been a lot to make you register just so you could post this. Or did you think that saying how much good you would do with the jackpot was going to get it for you? Perhaps you are one... [ More ]

Comment #20

McCaskey — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:03:20 GMT

Agree. His post had 'jealousy' written all over it. Almost appears he knows the winner personally and has an axe to grind; there's no other reason to personalize it so much.

Comment #19

iGlenn — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:03:14 GMT

Your just jealous. Wishing bad things on him just shows what type of person you are.

Comment #18

jrosina — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:04:32 GMT

You might be right in some, or most of the things you said...but to wish him Ill is so mean!! I will pray that none of the things you say come upon this man! He is happy, and most of us are happy for him! It is his win! he wants to take it all. He may have a very good reason, we don't know all the details...To wish him bad things is ugly

Comment #17

jrosina — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:46:13 GMT

A man after my own heart, nice and easy does it! I am very happy for him! a big WTG Mr. Williams

Comment #16

shortysonicg — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:03:39 GMT

Nope. He is unintelligent by doing the media interview and selecting the cash option. How long he took to claim the prize has nothing to do with what kind of person he is - I can see right through it, it's mere ego. He might have been able to do amazing things with the money..but only if he took the annuity and refused the media interview. Megamillions is watched by the whole country daily, his privacy is over from now on and he is officially going to be viewed as a money source, rather than as... [ More ]

Comment #15

McCaskey — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:10:53 GMT

He seems like a very nice guy, but I just don't see the point of waiting five months to come forward.

A month or two--maximum--should be all you need to get your affairs in order.

I'm guessing his age about mid 50's, maybe 60. What if he had died of a heart attack, stroke or car accident in the five-month span of the winning drawing before he claimed it? The ticket would have gone unclaimed...correct? And his heirs would have nothing to show for a winning ticket...unless I'm missing someth... [ More ]

Comment #14

Guest — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:05:43 GMT

May he enjoy his winnings in peace

Comment #13

ca-dreamin* — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:00:19 GMT

Congrats to Mr. Williams!

There is NO WAY I would wait 5 months and continue to do my job. Could you imagine knowing your gonna have all this money but in the meantime live your life as is

Comment #12

rock_nc — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:58:24 GMT

congrats to the man,now that nc can play Mega Millions,we[my group I'm IN]can PLAY IT TOO.Now PB is at 200m,I'm sure hope it's my lottery group that get's the win tonight......we be a happy bunch of folks here in NORTH CAROLINA.....

Comment #11

CAL-LottoPlayer — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:49:15 GMT

For anyone who is in California, after a Google search I finally found this information at their calottery website regarding anonymous claims of lotto jackpots:

Can I be anonymous when I win?

California state law requires that the California State Lottery to release the following information: your name, and the name and location of the retailer where you bought your ticket. You may request no media coverage aside from that.

I was hoping winners could use a blind trust, however th... [ More ]

Comment #10

HaveABall — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:45:54 GMT

Steve Williams, the Williamstir, making the coffee at the Valley's store!

Congratulations on your after taxes net $76.2M lump-sum option Mega Millions sole winning ticket jackpot prize Steve!!! Whoo Hoo!!! Hope you greatly enjoy: looking at it, pampering yourself with it, saving it, and spreading it around the world via spending!!! And yes, if you want to continue making the coffee do it (but only at home, and only for yourself, now for liability purposes)!!!

It is possible that Steve wait... [ More ]

Comment #9

Person — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:58:41 GMT

Regarding anonymity, this is from Virginia's lottery site:

Can I remain anonymous when I claim my lottery winnings?

No. Winners often ask if they can claim Lottery prizes anonymously. Virginia state law stipulates that a person must claim a prize; winners cannot claim a Virginia Lottery prize with a limited liability company or a trust, for example. In addition, the claimant s name, hometown and prize are public record and are released to the media (usually for prizes $100,000 and up). Win... [ More ]

Comment #8

grave — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:23:57 GMT

like i said in another post awhile back talking about jackpots going unclaimed....i thought this was going to be one of them... but congrats to him though..... but i sure wouldnt have waitied 5 months thats too close to the dead line....

Comment #7

CAL-LottoPlayer — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:13:57 GMT

Original Post by OhioLottery:

If he assembled such a great team, shouldn't he have claimed anonymously?

I was thinking the same thing. Every state has different rules. Some allow anonymous claims, others don't.

And, I don't think I could wait five months to claim, could you guys?

I could and would wait 5 months to claim or as long as possible. There are many business affairs which a major winner must perform before he claims. There are legal matters, accounting matters, personal... [ More ]

Comment #6

dingo — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:44:25 GMT

He was so calm and waiting. It's $200 million. What a great virtue

Comment #5

petergrfn — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:40:07 GMT

Is it possible to claim anonymously in VA?? Hopefully this will be me soon.. Except NO ONE will ever know it's me...LOL .....If the $200 million Powerball Jackpot is won and claimed quietly by a trust and you don't hear from me for a few weeks.....Just assume I'm livng it up in the BAHAMA'S

Comment #4

ThatScaryChick — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:34:34 GMT

It really does sound like Mr. Williams has his head on straight! Congrats to him on his big win

Comment #3

Starr920 — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:10:48 GMT

Congratulations to Mr. Williams

It's nice that he took the time to get his affairs

in order before collecting his money

Sounds like a very smart man

Comment #2

OhioLottery — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:29:01 GMT

If he assembled such a great team, shouldn't he have claimed anonymously?

And, I don't think I could wait five months to claim, could you guys? I mean that more from a financial standpoint than not having the patience. How do you pay this team of so-called experts? Do they offer services knowing you will get the money

Comment #1

konane — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:28:45 GMT

Mr. Williams, who works as a carpenter, said he waited to claim his prize so he could assemble and meet with financial and legal advisors to plan for his future.

Wise man, congratulations to him

Virginia man claims $200M Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Lottery Post — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:44:51 GMT

Includes video report

They say good things come to those who wait.

Steve Williams of Shenandoah would probably agree. For nearly five months he waited, holding a Mega Millions ticket that he knew was worth $200 million. Finally, on March 12, 2010, he officially claimed his prize, becoming the second-largest winner in the Virginia Lottery's history.

Williams found out he was a mega-winner when he went to his favorite store, Valley's at 601 4th Street in Shenandoah, and made a pot of c... [ More ]