The winner of Wednesday's $33.6 million Powerball jackpot was Linville Lee Huff of Bullitt County.
The Kentucky Lottery Corp. released the winner's name, but nothing else, yesterday in response to an open-records request filed by The Courier-Journal.
Efforts to reach Huff were not successful.
Reached by phone yesterday at his home in Louisville, Linville Lee Huff Jr. confirmed that his father had the winning ticket.
He said his father, who is in his early 60s, and mother, Shirley Huff, plan to take a vacation but have not yet made other plans for the money.
"He was nervous, excited and couldn't believe he'd won," Huff Jr. said. "He finally believed it when we went down to the Powerball office. I went with him and drove. He was too nervous to drive."
The winning ticket was purchased on Wednesday afternoon at the 44 Quick Stop market at Pitts Point Road and Ky. 44 West, near Shepherdsville.
Debbie White, one of the store's owners, said Huff lives nearby and is a regular customer.
"He came in this morning" and told her he had won, White said yesterday. "He said they plan to leave town for a little while until things calm down."
White described Huff as "down-to-earth and very kind and the type of man who would help anybody he could."
White and others at the store had expected the winner to be a nearby resident, they said, because the store gets relatively few customers from elsewhere.
Lottery spokesman Chip Polston also described Huff as down-to-earth but said little else about him personally.
Huff claimed the cash option of $16.4 million — $11.3 million after taxes — and was an infrequent lottery player, Polston said.
congratulations to the winner but the dad claimed it anonymously so when the newspaper asked the lottery for his name and hometown and the son answered the phone he should have declined to comment and respect his dads privacy.
It's no fun if you don't get to know who won. Maybe they could make the store anonymous also, I mean are they sure they want hordes of people beating the doors down to buy tickets at the new "lucky location" and maybe buying out all the milk, etc.? It should go with the territory, you want to play, you want to win, you don't get to keep it secret.. what if someone wins and they owe money or child support? What if it's someone I know? Someone being stingy with me maybe they won and aren't telling me? Or how about, since players want to be anonymous, maybe the drawings can be anonymous too, computerized and done behind-the-scenes and all you see is what #'s came out?
What if it's someone I know? Someone being stingy with me maybe they won and aren't telling me?
And they have to tell you why? Judging from that comment, it's no wonder people want to remain anonymous. If I had the choice I would remain anonymous also. So what? I wouldn't owe you or anyone else anything, but the point is moot for me because the state I am in doesn't allow it. I do plan on being vague and boring if I do win. I have no desire for old "friends" and "family members" thinking they deserve something, because they know me. You sound pissed because some people value their privacy. Why does it bother you so much?
It must feel good waking up each morning with 34 million in your bank account. With 5% interest that is $1.7 million, he can live off the interest alone. No more money worries.
Quote: Originally posted by ThatScaryChick on Dec 16, 2007
What if it's someone I know? Someone being stingy with me maybe they won and aren't telling me?
And they have to tell you why? Judging from that comment, it's no wonder people want to remain anonymous. If I had the choice I would remain anonymous also. So what? I wouldn't owe you or anyone else anything, but the point is moot for me because the state I am in doesn't allow it. I do plan on being vague and boring if I do win. I have no desire for old "friends" and "family members" thinking they deserve something, because they know me. You sound pissed because some people value their privacy. Why does it bother you so much?
In fact, not only do I agree with you, but LuckyLry proves that we all have a right to remain anonymous. As far as owing money or child support, the state always runs a person's social security number before giving him/her a penny. You don't get the money the day you walk into the lottery office. A criminal and credit background is done. If you owe child support you are in violation of the law. If you have unpaid traffic tickets, or haven't paid a judgment, that money will be paid to your creditors.
The only reason I like hearing that Mr. Jones of Smallville won is it's nice to know that the lottery is "real" and that "real" people are winning. I enjoy hearing about nice people who have good luck like this winner. Congrats to him!
Quote: Originally posted by JackpotWanna on Dec 16, 2007
It must feel good waking up each morning with 34 million in your bank account. With 5% interest that is $1.7 million, he can live off the interest alone. No more money worries.
was just over 11 million after taxes...cash option.....but still a nice chunk of change...lol
And another player claims the big prize, congratulations to him.. I hope the Gold diggers dont bother him too much...He has the right idea....Go away till things calm down some...ENJOY your money and have a great life Mr Huff
Quote: Originally posted by JackpotWanna on Dec 16, 2007
It must feel good waking up each morning with 34 million in your bank account. With 5% interest that is $1.7 million, he can live off the interest alone. No more money worries.
Actually, 34 mil is just the pot prize. It even said the lump sum was worth 16 mil, and after taxes he only gets 11 million, which is nothing to laugh at in general, but having 11 million in the bank is very different from having 34 mil.
Quote: Originally posted by LckyLary on Dec 16, 2007
It's no fun if you don't get to know who won. Maybe they could make the store anonymous also, I mean are they sure they want hordes of people beating the doors down to buy tickets at the new "lucky location" and maybe buying out all the milk, etc.? It should go with the territory, you want to play, you want to win, you don't get to keep it secret.. what if someone wins and they owe money or child support? What if it's someone I know? Someone being stingy with me maybe they won and aren't telling me? Or how about, since players want to be anonymous, maybe the drawings can be anonymous too, computerized and done behind-the-scenes and all you see is what #'s came out?
WOW!!! I am speechless. This is the most post I ever read on LP. I hope you are joking, LckyLary.
Quote: Originally posted by tnlotto1 on Dec 16, 2007
congratulations to the winner but the dad claimed it anonymously so when the newspaper asked the lottery for his name and hometown and the son answered the phone he should have declined to comment and respect his dads privacy.
. But the son is so happy- he just cannot keep his mouth shut and pretend it was nothing. I think that's the hardest part about winning the jackpot, your brain says it is for your best interest to remain anonymous, but the heart is jumping up and down and wants to shout the news to the whole world.
Quote: Originally posted by Jack Pot on Dec 17, 2007
. But the son is so happy- he just cannot keep his mouth shut and pretend it was nothing. I think that's the hardest part about winning the jackpot, your brain says it is for your best interest to remain anonymous, but the heart is jumping up and down and wants to shout the news to the whole world.
It's human nature to want to tell someone you won, but NOT human nature to want to share it. I'd do what Mr. Huff did and go away for a bit and relax and plan out the rest of your life and live a modest down-to-earth life.
was just over 11 million after taxes...cash option.....but still a nice chunk of change...lol
The $11 million is after the withholdings. When he files his return he can expect to find most of his income in the top bracket, which means 35% for federal and 6% for Kentucky. The 59% of the cash value he gets to keep will still be a bit over $9.5 million, though. I'm guessing that's enough to get by for a while.
Quote: Originally posted by LckyLary on Dec 16, 2007
It's no fun if you don't get to know who won. Maybe they could make the store anonymous also, I mean are they sure they want hordes of people beating the doors down to buy tickets at the new "lucky location" and maybe buying out all the milk, etc.? It should go with the territory, you want to play, you want to win, you don't get to keep it secret.. what if someone wins and they owe money or child support? What if it's someone I know? Someone being stingy with me maybe they won and aren't telling me? Or how about, since players want to be anonymous, maybe the drawings can be anonymous too, computerized and done behind-the-scenes and all you see is what #'s came out?
"what if someone wins and they owe money or child support?"
You know that the state knows who the anonymous winner is, right? If they have a debt that's part of the public record (which means past-due child support and any debt for which a judgement has been filed) the state will know.
Quote: Originally posted by ThatScaryChick on Dec 16, 2007
What if it's someone I know? Someone being stingy with me maybe they won and aren't telling me?
And they have to tell you why? Judging from that comment, it's no wonder people want to remain anonymous. If I had the choice I would remain anonymous also. So what? I wouldn't owe you or anyone else anything, but the point is moot for me because the state I am in doesn't allow it. I do plan on being vague and boring if I do win. I have no desire for old "friends" and "family members" thinking they deserve something, because they know me. You sound pissed because some people value their privacy. Why does it bother you so much?
There wasn't as much potential harm in giving out the winner's information and taking their picture holding a huge check when lotto jackpots were $1 million. Most payouts were $50,000 before taxes for the next 20 years so how much a person could "give away" was limited.
With jackpots of $50 to $100 million, winners should get the right to be anonymous up to a point. If a lottery wants to get a group of players complaining and saying the lottery is rigged, all they have to do is say "the winning ticket was sold somewhere in the state". State lotteries need a way of proving to the players the jackpot was actually won so many states publish the name of the store selling the winning ticket.
Powerball and Mega Millions winners are national news the next day but knowing which store in Rhode Island sold the winning ticket doesn't mean much to an Idaho player. The real problem the winner has in remaining anonymous is the local news people trying to get information from the store owner and clerks.
I don't think anybody I know is obligated to tell me they won and I won't call them stingy if don't tell me. But if they are talking about somebody that owes them money, the circumstances are much different.
Quote: Originally posted by spy153 on Dec 16, 2007
Hope he enjoys it. Just a little further east, next time, will ya?
No, you mean it needs to come a little further south. It's already been "east" in Bardstown, then "north" in Shepherdsville, now come home to Hardin County! ;)
The lottery does not want anyone remaining anonymous because they think it hurts sales. If they give out all that money you can bet they want everyone knowing. This comes with the territory. I for one am very skeptical until I see the cash. This will never change because winners are the minority, and are the only ones who care about privacy. The majority however who do not win, will always want to know who won for legitimacy reasons.
Hope he enjoys it. Just a little further east, next time, will ya?
wow.....congrats to him.....he shoooo didn't waist no tiiiiime goin down yonder to git that money
congratulations to the winner but the dad claimed it anonymously so when the newspaper asked the lottery for his name and hometown and the son answered the phone he should have declined to comment and respect his dads privacy.
It's no fun if you don't get to know who won. Maybe they could make the store anonymous also, I mean are they sure they want hordes of people beating the doors down to buy tickets at the new "lucky location" and maybe buying out all the milk, etc.? It should go with the territory, you want to play, you want to win, you don't get to keep it secret.. what if someone wins and they owe money or child support? What if it's someone I know? Someone being stingy with me maybe they won and aren't telling me? Or how about, since players want to be anonymous, maybe the drawings can be anonymous too, computerized and done behind-the-scenes and all you see is what #'s came out?
What if it's someone I know? Someone being stingy with me maybe they won and aren't telling me?
And they have to tell you why? Judging from that comment, it's no wonder people want to remain anonymous. If I had the choice I would remain anonymous also. So what? I wouldn't owe you or anyone else anything, but the point is moot for me because the state I am in doesn't allow it. I do plan on being vague and boring if I do win. I have no desire for old "friends" and "family members" thinking they deserve something, because they know me. You sound pissed because some people value their privacy. Why does it bother you so much?
It must feel good waking up each morning with 34 million in your bank account. With 5% interest that is $1.7 million, he can live off the interest alone. No more money worries.
In fact, not only do I agree with you, but LuckyLry proves that we all have a right to remain anonymous. As far as owing money or child support, the state always runs a person's social security number before giving him/her a penny. You don't get the money the day you walk into the lottery office. A criminal and credit background is done. If you owe child support you are in violation of the law. If you have unpaid traffic tickets, or haven't paid a judgment, that money will be paid to your creditors.
The only reason I like hearing that Mr. Jones of Smallville won is it's nice to know that the lottery is "real" and that "real" people are winning. I enjoy hearing about nice people who have good luck like this winner. Congrats to him!
was just over 11 million after taxes...cash option.....but still a nice chunk of change...lol
Huff claimed the cash option of $16.4 million — $11.3 million after taxes — and was an infrequent lottery player, Polston said.
Oops. My mistake.
So interest comes to $550,000 a year. I can live with that.
And another player claims the big prize, congratulations to him.. I hope the Gold diggers dont bother him too much...He has the right idea....Go away till things calm down some...ENJOY your money and have a great life Mr Huff
Actually, 34 mil is just the pot prize. It even said the lump sum was worth 16 mil, and after taxes he only gets 11 million, which is nothing to laugh at in general, but having 11 million in the bank is very different from having 34 mil.
WOW!!! I am speechless. This is the most
post I ever read on LP. I hope you are joking, LckyLary.
It's human nature to want to tell someone you won, but NOT human nature to want to share it. I'd do what Mr. Huff did and go away for a bit and relax and plan out the rest of your life and live a modest down-to-earth life.
The $11 million is after the withholdings. When he files his return he can expect to find most of his income in the top bracket, which means 35% for federal and 6% for Kentucky. The 59% of the cash value he gets to keep will still be a bit over $9.5 million, though. I'm guessing that's enough to get by for a while.
"what if someone wins and they owe money or child support?"
You know that the state knows who the anonymous winner is, right? If they have a debt that's part of the public record (which means past-due child support and any debt for which a judgement has been filed) the state will know.
There wasn't as much potential harm in giving out the winner's information and taking their picture holding a huge check when lotto jackpots were $1 million. Most payouts were $50,000 before taxes for the next 20 years so how much a person could "give away" was limited.
With jackpots of $50 to $100 million, winners should get the right to be anonymous up to a point. If a lottery wants to get a group of players complaining and saying the lottery is rigged, all they have to do is say "the winning ticket was sold somewhere in the state". State lotteries need a way of proving to the players the jackpot was actually won so many states publish the name of the store selling the winning ticket.
Powerball and Mega Millions winners are national news the next day but knowing which store in Rhode Island sold the winning ticket doesn't mean much to an Idaho player. The real problem the winner has in remaining anonymous is the local news people trying to get information from the store owner and clerks.
I don't think anybody I know is obligated to tell me they won and I won't call them stingy if don't tell me. But if they are talking about somebody that owes them money, the circumstances are much different.
No, you mean it needs to come a little further south. It's already been "east" in Bardstown, then "north" in Shepherdsville, now come home to Hardin County! ;)
The lottery does not want anyone remaining anonymous because they think it hurts sales. If they give out all that money you can bet they want everyone knowing. This comes with the territory. I for one am very skeptical until I see the cash. This will never change because winners are the minority, and are the only ones who care about privacy. The majority however who do not win, will always want to know who won for legitimacy reasons.