$265 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot claimed anonymously

May 3, 2006, 9:24 am (25 comments)

Mega Millions

Ohio winner chooses cash option 

The mystery of who won the $265 million Mega Millions drawing April 18 remains, but the money has been claimed.

Todd A. Felthaus, trust officer for PNC Bank, claimed the jackpot Tuesday at the Ohio Lottery's Cleveland headquarters for the WFJ Trust, Ohio Lottery officials said.

The winner chose the cash option value of the jackpot — $148.1 million. After taxes, the trust will receive a check for $102.2 million.

Sandra Neal, a lottery official, said the commission is bound by the winner's request not to reveal the name. She said she could not say if the winner was from the Cincinnati area, if it was a person or a group.

"That is the advantage of using the trust," Neal said. "We are prohibited from giving out that information."

Felthaus could not be reached for comment, but PNC Bank spokeswoman Darcel Kimble said the claim for the jackpot was filed Tuesday morning.

"We are honored by the confidence the client placed in us not to violate the winner's wishes," she said.

The ticket was sold at the Kroger in University Plaza, Corryville.

The winner purchased an "auto lotto" ticket — in which the computer chooses the numbers — with five wagers, winning on the fourth line.

This is the Ohio Lottery's eighth Mega Millions jackpot winner, the second-biggest jackpot won in Ohio.

Amy Schulton, advertising manager for Kroger, said the company has no idea who bought the winning ticket.

"It is exciting for us to have sold the winning ticket, but we know absolutely nothing," she said.

The store received $100,000 for selling the winning ticket.

Schulton said the company plans to donate the money to the community but has not selected a recipient.

Winning numbers

The winning numbers drawn April 18th in the 12-state game were 13, 14, 25, 34 and 50. Mega Ball: 6.

In addition to the grand prize winner, 21 tickets, including two purchased in Ohio, matched all five numbers but not the Mega Ball for prizes of $250,000 each.

Another 109 tickets, including four from Ohio, matched four numbers plus the Mega Ball for third prizes of $10,000 each.

The odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 175 million.

Lottery Post Staff

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Comments

DoubleDown

Way to go !! 

Let the furor die down, swoop in and collect anonymously, then go on about your business.

That makes a bigger statement than a phony check / press conference ever will.....

DD

dvdiva's avatardvdiva

I think this will be the largest anonymous winner if there is no news conference. Some states don't allow for anonymous claims though. It also is a quickpick winner if anyone cares. If the prize breaks 350+ then forget being anonymous.

delS

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!  I like their style.  Its exactly the way I would go about claiming a jackpot!  Forget the hoopla and press conference stuff, that only ignites all the crazies who want a piece of your money! 

They now have a clean start to do their thing or his or her thing!  Good for them!

Todd's avatarTodd

I think this will be the largest anonymous winner if there is no news conference. Some states don't allow for anonymous claims though. It also is a quickpick winner if anyone cares. If the prize breaks 350+ then forget being anonymous.

That is already stated in the article:

The winner purchased an "auto lotto" ticket - in which the computer chooses the numbers - with five wagers, winning on the fourth line.

CASH Only

Since they claimed anonymously, they COULD have gotten away with choosing annuity. Fortunately, they didn't.

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Since they claimed anonymously, they COULD have gotten away with choosing annuity. Fortunately, they didn't.

What do you mean "COULD have gotten away with choosing annuity"?  Are you saying  choosing annuity is against some law or under handed?

CASH Only

Since they claimed anonymously, they COULD have gotten away with choosing annuity. Fortunately, they didn't.

What do you mean "COULD have gotten away with choosing annuity"?  Are you saying  choosing annuity is against some law or under handed?

If somebody chooses annuity, they should have to "Go to Jail" for the length of the annuity LOL

Todd's avatarTodd

Sleep

Just6ntlc

I hope the business and/or the person doesn't have financial problems later in life. However, good for them and congratulations on winning the MM Jackpot.

bellyache's avatarbellyache

Good for him/her/them. I think they are doing a smart thing by claiming there jackpot anonymously. This way, they avoid all the media attention and a bunch of beggers.

fja's avatarfja

Since they claimed anonymously, they COULD have gotten away with choosing annuity. Fortunately, they didn't.

What do you mean "COULD have gotten away with choosing annuity"?  Are you saying  choosing annuity is against some law or under handed?

If somebody chooses annuity, they should have to "Go to Jail" for the length of the annuity LOL

       

                                                         

                                                            Thud

How about we just let them read all your post?

 

bellyache's avatarbellyache

Since they claimed anonymously, they COULD have gotten away with choosing annuity. Fortunately, they didn't.

What do you mean "COULD have gotten away with choosing annuity"? Are you saying choosing annuity is against some law or under handed?

If somebody chooses annuity, they should have to "Go to Jail" for the length of the annuity LOL

       

                                                        

                                                            Thud

How about we just let them read all your post?

LOL I'm sorry for laughing, but that was funny fja!

tg636

From a previous article on here - this is why I think you have to claim your prize anonymously, even amounts far less than $265 million.  You have to ask what good being famous or notorious does you. 

>"Life is good, but it's not a constant party," said Susan Bradley, a certified financial planner who founded >the Sudden Money Institute in Florida, which provides resources and training for new wealth recipients >and their advisers.

>"It's hard," she said. "You can change your phone number. You can move out of state. You can do all >those kinds of things. But maybe you don't want to.

>"Lottery winners are targets," she continued. "They also don't get the same kind of respect that >someone who 'earned' the money gets. There's kind of this funny taint."

As far as the annuity goes, I am still waiting for real-life evidence that someone taking the cash made an amount equal to or more than the annuity by the time the last annuity check was cashed.  All I need is the evidence and I will believe. Articles should be easy to come by if annuities are as lousy as people say. 

 

Ineverwin

Does anyone know if NY allows anonymity?

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