Judge rules $560M Powerball lottery winner can stay anonymous

Comment #79

KY Floyd — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 06:27:03 GMT

Now everyone else can sue the lotteries into oblivion.

If you were hit in the head it's not because the sky is falling. This ruling probably has almost zero consequence for anything other than the next person who signs their own name to the back of a New Hampshire lottery ticket. It seems to address only this one particular case, so the next winner who signs their own name can claim it as precedent but would still have to establish that their circumstances are essentially similar. It may be... [ More ]

Comment #78

maximumfun — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 04:18:41 GMT

Win - stay anonymous, live safe, and move on happily. Isn't that basically how we would all choose to proceed

Comment #77

Power8411 — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 20:11:51 GMT

In Australia,you do have a choice nationwide whether to be anonymous or not. Very rare that someone goes public. The reasoning why the anonymous choice was brought in was that the NSW lottery was owned by the NSW government,and enforced this choice as a duty of care. Now it is operated by Tatts Ltd,it still honors that status quo.

So if anything,I'm all for being private,no matter where in the world you are. Being anonymous does more good than harm IMO when it comes to personal safety. Not to... [ More ]

Comment #76

slotsarefun — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 20:06:06 GMT

You probably would feel a lot different if it was you. Oh well its not so when you do have a press conference and tell the world. When I win I will be signing the back of the ticket

Comment #75

paymentplan-man — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 16:17:07 GMT

I'm a bit confused, are you saying that you feel like no winner should be able to remain anonymous? Or is it that you are just saying that this recent winner shouldn't be able to? You must remember that many states allow you to claim anonymously through paying a percentage of your win/ trusts/ or just a state law to claim it that way. All the judge allowed this woman to do was alter the claim name on HER ticket to put the name of a trust which was already legal in her state. Its just that when s... [ More ]

Comment #74

TheGameGrl — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 15:24:48 GMT

yup, money can and does.

The judge ruled in her favor , entirely. Her goals were met: To cash in and to remain anonymous. Case closed.

To correct the statements:

Nope, not jealous.

Nope, No sour grapes here. Just good ole ability to READ, comprehend and state opinions.

Comment #73

Artist77 — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 10:04:14 GMT

Hmmm go back and read your post! Lol. ...when money can buy off anyone...

Comment #72

TheGameGrl — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 05:55:47 GMT

I love excercise! Keep jumping to conclusions ,you'll eventually get healthy .

Comment #71

paymentplan-man — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 01:09:51 GMT

The only time I will go out there is when the jackpot gets really big (400M+) like for all future draws until someone(s) wins I wasn't aware that I could use a trust in DC although since im in Alexandria going to MD isn't too far out of my reach. I usually just do online subscriptions here in VA but yes need to buy in MD more often. Haven't been playing that long, less than 18 months since i bought my first ticket. LOL is actually funny I haven't really thought that much about driving the extra... [ More ]

Comment #70

Slicktime — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 00:46:27 GMT

A rational, clear-thinking judge would not have said you are special and you get to fix YOUR mistake. The judge should have ruled based on the games rules. PERIOD.

Comment #69

lejardin — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 00:20:28 GMT

Too, Also

Comment #68

Artist77 — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 00:08:47 GMT

Awww thank you ppm. I used to think I 'd be thrilled if any lp member won a jackpot...but have since made that a smaller subset of members. Lol

PS Try to buy your tickets in DC or MD if you live in Virginia. You can claim via a trust in DC.

Comment #67

paymentplan-man — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 23:52:30 GMT

Artist I love you just wanted you to know that and I'm grateful that other like minded intelligent people are out there. People need to realize that she lives/played in a state where being anonymous is lawful its just due to her ignorance on the correct steps she did it the wrong way and was just fighting to get the chance to correct that. Rather we know her name no not makes 100% no difference. I really hope we never find out who she is and she stays safe. Especially now hell one of these salty... [ More ]

Comment #66

Artist77 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:31:29 GMT

too

Comment #65

Artist77 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:30:12 GMT

Very true. A pleading will often have numerous attorneys listed for one side and the partner is listed first. 99% of the work is done by the associate attorneys...with oversight from the partner. A partner will usually be the lead in court for the actual trial with second chair associates.

Comment #64

Artist77 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:24:44 GMT

It is probable that lottery employees saw her name when payment was made, the processing etc..., but this was pursuant to their official duties. The state lottery is under a court order not to reveal her name. There would be a formal investigation if this happened and the lottery would be subject to fines, more formal oversight from a third party, etc.

Comment #63

Artist77 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:17:39 GMT

What sour grapes. No judge was bought off. If you think so, report it to the authorities. Being jealous of her money is not sufficient proof.

Comment #62

ecnirP — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:03:17 GMT

Temple found that the commission's argument that revealing her name to ensure the public she's a bona fide lottery participant and real winner was not persuasive, because a trustee claiming a prize on someone's behalf is certainly not a bona fide participant or a real winner.

A rational, clear-thinking judge. Kudos to him.

Comment #61

TheGameGrl — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 20:48:52 GMT

sure a person can fight this and be an exception to any law made. Thats how MONEY works in this day and age.

I live on principles and ethics. This lady also has a new found ethic, With money she can buy off anyone and be beyond the laws.

Mind you we have some real humans behind keyboards, insisting anonymity is the wave of the future. which every crook is willing to stand behind ...crime is rarely out in the open but rather cloaked in anonymity. Old addage holds true...follow the money.

Comment #60

Stack47 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 20:04:52 GMT

The way she was fighting made it seem more like she was trying to screw someone out of some money than hide who she is for security purposes. I have several neighbors that are high profile guys from Fortune 500 executives to pro-athletes that make from $5 million to $25 million a year and you can walk right up to our front doors and no one has any security guards.

It's possible Jane Doe spoke out against the lottery and/or gambling in general or something like that and why she doesn't want h... [ More ]

Comment #59

paymentplan-man — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 19:15:45 GMT

A few things here clears throat

1. I was not referring to slavery as there are PLENTY of laws and such here in America that have been changed/modified/enhanced, etc..

2. People keep saying the same thing over and over again If you don't like the rules...don't play but if you think real hard she wans't really trying to change the rules she wanted to alter the ticket by removing her name and replacing with the name of a trust. Which means had she did the trust first she could have claimed... [ More ]

Comment #58

Todd — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 16:54:19 GMT

Yes, Shaheen is a Senator, not the Governor. The article has an error. Regarding the attorney information, a partner at an attorney's office is often deemed the attorney, although they may not handle the day-to-day drudgery of the case.

Comment #57

noise-gate — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 16:37:18 GMT

l try not to be untruthful when posting Stuff CDanaT- however taking a direct quote from LP, the article from March 7th says the following, 3rd paragraph : The winner s attorney William Shaheen..

4th paragraph Shaheen, a former federal prosecutor who is married to NH Governor Jeanne Shaheen.

I don t make this stuff up, if l am in error- let Todd know that his piece is putting out wrong information.After all, l live on the West Coast, what do l know.

Comment #56

CDanaT — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 15:57:10 GMT

Jane Doe's Attorney is Stephen M. Gordon of the firm https://www.shaheengordon.com/Attorney-Profiles.aspx

Also see:

www.newhampshire.com/nh-people/lawyers-to-pick-up-powerball-winners-check-say-shell-share-wealth-with-girls-inc-and-group-fighting-childhood-hunger-20180307

The current Governor of the State of N.H. is Chris Sununu since January 2017.His wife is Valerie, who is not an attorney.

Chris Sununu has no husband.

The above link to the Sheehan-Gordon firm shows the list of... [ More ]

Comment #55

golfer1960 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 15:28:21 GMT

I knew they'd let her keep the money and stay anonymous. She must be a very powerful woman .

Comment #54

Slicktime — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 15:03:08 GMT

Now everyone else can sue the lotteries into oblivion. That is not good for the game. If you don't like the rules.. don't play. When i buy tickets here in Kansas i can remain anonymous and i absolutely would, when i travel to Oklahoma i will play by their rules not try to make them up because i don't like them. Changing the lottery laws is completely different than what you are referring to like slavery, etc.

Comment #53

paymentplan-man — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 14:57:38 GMT

LOL

Again just because there are laws in place doesn't also mean they are all perfect/fair/ not worth challenging. All the lady wanted to do was correct something that was correctable. How many laws in the history of forever have been changed or fought because they needed to be. This is just another one of those such cases. I feel like a lot of people would have made the same mistake and im happy her and her team fought for what she believed was right. If she legally won and she can cla... [ More ]

Comment #52

noise-gate — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 14:47:26 GMT

....Jane Doe's attorney is the husband of the Governor of the State of NH.

Comment #51

Slicktime — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 14:36:22 GMT

Everyone should be happy the lottery tried to fight this and i hope they continue to do so. She made the mistake, not the lottery. You don't get to change the rules because you think you are special.

Comment #50

dpoly1 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 13:25:30 GMT

too

Comment #49

Perfecttiming2 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 12:21:56 GMT

Comment #48

VenomV12 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 05:31:14 GMT

Ha Ha, she screwed anyway. I admire she did the all the right things, hired a big attorney whose wife is a US Senator and I'm guessing money went the judge's way, the problem is too many people know who she is anyway and by letting this story get so big she gives people and the media incentive to find out who she is. First of all the store owner and whoever sold her the ticket knows who she is, people at the lottery know who she is, we already know what town she is from so she has to have friend... [ More ]

Comment #47

KY Floyd — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 03:42:50 GMT

I wonder if she'll be outed through FOIA?

Maybe. At best the article is a very brief summary of the ruling and perhaps description is a better word. Of course it's what the ruling actually says that matters. Taking the article at face value, let's assume that the lottery can only use the name of the trust and her home town in any press release or marketing. What should we make of this?

However, Temple noted that nothing in his order could be interpreted to prevent the lottery commission o... [ More ]

Comment #46

paymentplan-man — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 02:50:49 GMT

Wow really. Don't agree at all I couldn't be happier. She won fair and square so if she can get the money how she wants that makes it even better. Why is it b.s it's not like it impacts us at all unless you were like dying to see what she looks like or something. The average person who plays the lottery is someone just trying to be apart of jackpot fever and to that same average person they know two things. Sign the ticket and keep it safe. I can guarantee you that if she called the office and a... [ More ]

Comment #45

ELUCKYDREAM* — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 02:49:47 GMT

I agree the judge is going to get paid!!!! Money talks BS walk as they say

Comment #44

Redd55 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 01:25:07 GMT

I believe if voters could get the issue on the ballot in those states without anonymity, the right to elect to remain anonymous would win hands down.

Comment #43

Artist77 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 01:24:34 GMT

Omg lol

Comment #42

ckrakowski — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 01:07:23 GMT

This is bs. She screwed up originally and she should not have been allowed to sue the lottery over her f-up.

You play the game you need to know the rules.

I am also guessing the courts found in her favor because she is a women.

They need to appeal.

Comment #41

MsBee18 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:57:33 GMT

Thank you

Comment #40

CDanaT — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:54:22 GMT

* Texas became a state to claim anonymously effective JAN 1st, 2018 on jackpots of $1 million or more.

Comment #39

MsBee18 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:37:24 GMT

Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio and South Carolina allow winners to remain anonymous. Arizona lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a bill last year that shields lottery winners' identities for 90 days after they claim their prizes.

A growing number of other states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont, will award prizes to a trust and allow a trustee usually an attorney to collect without disclosing the name of the ticket holder.

States including Illinoi... [ More ]

Comment #38

Coin Toss — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:27:14 GMT

Human nature has taught me that many of those against this decision if they themselves were to win a jackpot would be screaming to stay anonymous.

Those who believe that revealing winners is the only way lotteries can prove they are not fixed shouldn't be playing to begin with.

Comment #37

benjibanks — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:26:34 GMT

Given the negativity in this thread, the need for anonymity is clear.

Comment #36

TheGameGrl — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:14:44 GMT

I respect the laws ....unsure how that makes this lady one whom is to be envied? She has her burden to last a lifetime. Not an ounce of jealousy for her.

May she enjoy her privacy.

Guess this judge will see a contribution for his campaign

Comment #35

skydog1964 — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:11:38 GMT

Good, I would want the same thing if I ever came into that kind of money. A matter of life and death imo.

Comment #34

paymentplan-man — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:11:35 GMT

This so much I agree with all my heart. I feel like their reasoning is that they feel like had they won they would have taken the correct steps and none of this would have happened and since they didn't win this woman should get no leeway due to her negligence. Which makes her win so much better baby

Comment #33

paymentplan-man — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:08:05 GMT

I wish I was surprised of all the LP readers that were rooting against her but we are humans and in sooooo many cases in the world people really want negative outcomes. The funny thing is that rather the judge ruled in her favor or not it literally holds no value to any of us unless in some rare instance she's your wife and owes you money i guess. Especially since the people rooting against her were mainly saying how they wanted her to loose simply because she didn't read up on the official rule... [ More ]

Comment #32

music* — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 23:50:57 GMT

I am in favor of this Woman's win in Court. May God bless her with safety.

Comment #31

music* — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 23:48:24 GMT

I agree. Beware of jerks . The Green Eyed Monster, Jealousy, Envy, resentment, killjoys. Jerks.

Comment #30

Suzy-Dittlenose — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 23:31:26 GMT

This is both stunning and pleasing! If it were not for the state's already anonymous option for winners, the result might have been different.

Comment #29

Artist77 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 23:20:28 GMT

The claim form info is completely different from what info a state lottery may be allowed to release publicly.. Most states it is just your name and town.

Comment #28

hearsetrax — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 23:15:28 GMT

they're just olive drab with envy and ticked that it wasn't them

but this too will pass

Comment #27

nikao88 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 23:11:05 GMT

Here is the rule for claiming a prize of $600 or more.

(e) Prizes exceeding $599, shall be claimed at the lottery commission headquarters only.

(f) The claimant shall complete a winner claim form with the following:

(1) Name;

(2) Address;

(3) Telephone number;

(4) Social security number; and

(5) Claimant signature and date.

Comment #26

konane — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 23:08:28 GMT

How so when Powerball and MegaMillions both are ball drop drawings which are televised for everyone to see? Have you ever seen videos about the safety precautions they use when handling and storing balls which have been weighed to within micro tolerance of one another

Comment #25

Toronto — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 23:00:56 GMT

They lottery is RIGGED

Comment #24

Artist77 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:59:57 GMT

I agree.

Comment #23

PendingSector — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:57:31 GMT

This was not about changing the law or getting around a law. NH already allows winners to be anonymous. This will stand. There was no question that she was the one who bought and won the ticket, so this is just allowing her to have her right to be anonymous.

I'm pretty surprised at the number of LP readers who are rooting against her or disagree with this verdict.

Comment #22

Artist77 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:51:18 GMT

I doubt she had the money deposited to her local bank. People can take wild guesses, but they will likely be wrong. How many times have you been convinced a certain person did this or that and you were wrong ??? And guessing is not the same thing as worldwide publication of your name and pic and town in perpetuity.

This has nothing to do with her being better than anyone else. Meow

Comment #21

dpoly1 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:45:18 GMT

Awesome

Comment #20

nikao88 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:41:20 GMT

It will take some time but, we will find out who this woman is.

While we were expecting a different outcome and believed the state had a strong argument, we respect the court's decision, said a statement from the New Hampshire Lottery. That said, we will consult with the Attorney General's office to determine appropriate next steps regarding the case.

Comment #19

nikao88 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:37:20 GMT

While we were expecting a different outcome and believed the state had a strong argument, we respect the court's decision. That said, we will consult with the Attorney General's office to determine appropriate next steps regarding the case.

People will find out who she is.

She is not anymore special than anyone else.

She lives in Merrimack NH. which has a population of around 25,000.

Right now we know that she is a female, so that cuts the odds down to 12,500.

Look for... [ More ]

Comment #18

delS — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:28:50 GMT

I;m so glad she won this case. The judges summary was spot on, the undue public attention, solicitations, damaged relationships, on and on. I'm glad where I live Maryland allows you the choice. I don't want the attention, nor the drama and danger.

Comment #17

paymentplan-man — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:26:28 GMT

We live in a world where its so easy to make a mistake. I'm happy that her mistake was one that could be fixed without causing damage to herself or family. When I first read the initial case info more than a month ago my first thought was that she should have paid more attention but then I had to take a step back and remember all the times where I made a mistake and was given a second chance. She received her second chance this day and I'm overjoyed that her case turned out in her favor. Also li... [ More ]

Comment #16

lejardin — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:23:34 GMT

Thanx Artist for the added info. I was wondering if FOIA would still apply. I agree, this is a win for all of us.

Those that arent happy and say that when you buy a ticket you understand the rules and while I agree, it is getting more and more dangerous to have lunatics get your information. And those who want their exposure for their 15 minutes or days of fame, hey, just call the media, I am sure they would love to accommodate you.

Comment #15

grwurston — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:19:17 GMT

Good for her!!! Every player should be given the option to remain anonymous or not, when they claim their winnings.

Comment #14

hearsetrax — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 22:02:38 GMT

should be most curious to see how this pans out in the long run for her

but I wish her tons of luck and many years of silent bliss

Comment #13

noise-gate — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 21:48:06 GMT

I wish 100% that it could be that way in California. But no, they want to parade you around like a circus monkey... minus the chain.

Comment #12

fellini — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 21:47:24 GMT

I hope they appeal and she loses. She shouldn't of played if she didn't want her name released.

Comment #11

Artist77 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 21:45:05 GMT

I am so thrilled for her and what a tremendous precedent it sets for all lottery players. The few of us who predicted the outcome, seemed to understand that a court does not just simply apply the law and rules. As I predicted, the equities or basic fairness principles also played a role. If a judge simply read a law and applied it...if A, then B... you could have grade school dropouts do this....but that is not how case law, precedents and carve outs are created.

No, her name cannot be obtain... [ More ]

Comment #10

Slick Nick — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 21:25:29 GMT

I think this was a fair and respected by the court. Case closed

Comment #9

konane — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 21:12:47 GMT

Good for her! It's time a precedent is set in court for other states to follow. Several years ago I was in favor of name, etc., being made public but not after reading about tragedies and in some cases stalking and loss of life.

I'm sure Georgia is watching this closely.

Comment #8

Mattapan — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 21:11:07 GMT

I don't like this decision. You should know the rules before you play, especially with this amount of money on the line. I do believe this would be overturned on appeal if they do appeal but it doesn't sound like they want to.

Comment #7

lejardin — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:35:24 GMT

All states need to protect the identity or the least the winner should HAVE THE CHOICE to remain anonymous.

Comment #6

DELotteryPlyr — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:22:13 GMT

Pandora's box has been opened - watch who sues next to get the state to change the rules after the fact.

Comment #5

wpb — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:18:01 GMT

Good, I think all states should do this.

Comment #4

zephbe — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:15:43 GMT

That's how it works in SC--name is not given but city the person lives is given.

The store that sold the ticket is always given.

Comment #3

MsBee18 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:15:32 GMT

This is an example of the rich getting what they want through the court system. I would vote against her being able to remain anonymous. I am not against rich people, but the rules are the rules.

Comment #2

CDanaT — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:13:24 GMT

While I am glad she has been given anonymity (at this point) I am thinking on appeal this may get overturned. Time will tell on what the state decides to do

Comment #1

Bleudog101 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:01:26 GMT

Todd, you must have read the story same time I did.

I wonder if she'll be outed through FOIA?

Maybe my late Mum's old saying 'loose lips sink ships' will prevail. Somebody will blab.

Judge rules $560M Powerball lottery winner can stay anonymous

Lottery Post — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 19:57:42 GMT

A judge ruled Monday that a New Hampshire woman who won a Powerball jackpot worth nearly $560 million can keep her identity private, but not her hometown.

Judge Charles Temple noted that the case's resolution rested on application of the state's Right-to-Know law, which governs access to public records for the woman. She was identified as Jane Doe in a lawsuit against the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.

Temple wrote he had no doubts whatsoever that should Ms. Doe's identity be revealed,... [ More ]