A couple who talked of helping young people fight drug addiction and alcohol abuse after winning a $2.6 million Oregon Lottery jackpot are facing a city lawsuit alleging they held a four-month-long party that included public sex, fights and signs of drug dealing.
The lawsuit filed against Elizabeth and Samuel Howard detailed allegations of parties featuring fights that spilled into other yards, couples having sex in plain view, an assault on a neighbor, slashed tires and loud music.
Howard, 54, denied the allegations. ''I just feel like I'm a victim in the whole situation,'' he said Friday.
In October 2005, when the couple accepted a lump-sum payment of $871,000 from the Oregon Lottery, they spoke of their faith. When Elizabeth was overcome with emotion and sobbed on Samuel's shoulder, he comforted her gently and told her everything would be OK.
Now they are facing a lawsuit filed under a little-used chronic nuisance law aimed at ridding neighborhoods of crime-infested properties.
The Oregonian newspaper said the couple and two sons named in the suit all have a criminal history: Samuel; Elizabeth, 47; and Samuel Jr., 24, have been convicted of drug offenses. Westley, 20, has been convicted of robbery.
The city wants to board the house up for six to 12 months, according to Roland Iparraguirre, a deputy city attorney. But Howard said his house is on the market, which could aid in settling the lawsuit.
If the Howards sell the house, and the criminal activity stops, so would the litigation, Iparraguirre said. ''A bona fide sale — that would cure the problem,'' he said.
But if they sell it to someone they know, such as a relative, and the parties continue, so will the lawsuit, Iparraguirre said.
The Howards bought the 17-year-old two-story house at the end of a cul-de-sac last July for $285,000, according to city records.
In the first four months after they moved in, police were called to the street 52 times, the lawsuit said.
Police have received a long and varied list of complaints, including domestic violence, prostitution, traffic at all hours and unsupervised children as young as 2 roaming the streets.
Iparraguirre declined to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit.
"In October 2005, when the couple accepted a lump-sum payment of $871,000 from the Oregon Lottery..."
Was that lump sum after taxes? Seems like a very small percentage of $2.6M.
As I wrote on the other thread about the winners who are carefully investing their money and living normal lives, I think these negative stories are the exception, not the norm. These are people who would have gotten into trouble whether they had money or not.
Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Feb 19, 2007
"In October 2005, when the couple accepted a lump-sum payment of $871,000 from the Oregon Lottery..."
Was that lump sum after taxes? Seems like a very small percentage of $2.6M.
As I wrote on the other thread about the winners who are carefully investing their money and living normal lives, I think these negative stories are the exception, not the norm. These are people who would have gotten into trouble whether they had money or not.
OR Megabucks (and several other in-state annuitized jackpot games) fix the cash value of the annuity at a lower rate than the actual cash value of the annuity. In this case, the cash value of an OR Megabucks annuity is 50%, when the "actual retail value" is higher. In such a scenario a lump-sum winner does not get their fair share. This does not happen with Mega Millions or Powerball, as cash-option winners in either game get the true value of the annuity in lump sum. (While the PB cash value is currently less than half of the annuity, due to the structure of the annual payments, nevertheless cash value PB winners are not cheated.)
Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Feb 19, 2007
"In October 2005, when the couple accepted a lump-sum payment of $871,000 from the Oregon Lottery..."
Was that lump sum after taxes? Seems like a very small percentage of $2.6M.
As I wrote on the other thread about the winners who are carefully investing their money and living normal lives, I think these negative stories are the exception, not the norm. These are people who would have gotten into trouble whether they had money or not.
On top of federal taxes, Orgeon takes a whopping 8% in state taxes on lottery prizes. Hey, that's what putting liberals in charge of the government will do for ya. Tax the rich, remember? Lottery winners are RICH PEOPLE.
Sounds like they will get rid of that money pretty quick. Another example of looser in life but winner at the lottery.
Oregon does have very high income tax but it's not the highest sadly. If there is an international lottery the US would not be allowed in due to our idiotic idea of taxing state-sponsored lotteries. The EU actually brought sanctions against Poland, a member state, until they dropped the tax on lottery winners.
This winner took the cash option which is $1.3 million before federal and state taxes. Then they bought an almost $500,000 home and the rest in a fast life to no where.-weshar75
On top of federal taxes, Orgeon takes a whopping 8% in state taxes on lottery prizes. Hey, that's what putting liberals in charge of the government will do for ya. Tax the rich, remember? Lottery winners are RICH PEOPLE.
Todd...one thing to keep in mind about Oregon's tax structure is that there is no sales tax on anything. This makes the income tax a liitle eaiser to take.
The Oregonian newspaper said the couple and two sons named in the suit all have a criminal history: Samuel; Elizabeth, 47; and Samuel Jr., 24, have been convicted of drug offenses. Westley, 20, has been convicted of robbery.
LOL! Well, if your going to do it you might as well do it right. Personally, it's hard to imagine not being able to think of anything better to do with the money than throwing a party every night.
WOW!!!! 52 times in 4monoths?
Ignorant...sounds like..
"In October 2005, when the couple accepted a lump-sum payment of $871,000 from the Oregon Lottery..."
Was that lump sum after taxes? Seems like a very small percentage of $2.6M.
As I wrote on the other thread about the winners who are carefully investing their money and living normal lives, I think these negative stories are the exception, not the norm. These are people who would have gotten into trouble whether they had money or not.
Sounds like they were getting into trouble before they won the lottery, after winning they could afford to do it in a better neighbor hood.
OR Megabucks (and several other in-state annuitized jackpot games) fix the cash value of the annuity at a lower rate than the actual cash value of the annuity. In this case, the cash value of an OR Megabucks annuity is 50%, when the "actual retail value" is higher. In such a scenario a lump-sum winner does not get their fair share. This does not happen with Mega Millions or Powerball, as cash-option winners in either game get the true value of the annuity in lump sum. (While the PB cash value is currently less than half of the annuity, due to the structure of the annual payments, nevertheless cash value PB winners are not cheated.)
On top of federal taxes, Orgeon takes a whopping 8% in state taxes on lottery prizes. Hey, that's what putting liberals in charge of the government will do for ya. Tax the rich, remember? Lottery winners are RICH PEOPLE.
Sounds like they will get rid of that money pretty quick. Another example of looser in life but winner at the lottery.
Oregon does have very high income tax but it's not the highest sadly. If there is an international lottery the US would not be allowed in due to our idiotic idea of taxing state-sponsored lotteries. The EU actually brought sanctions against Poland, a member state, until they dropped the tax on lottery winners.
This winner took the cash option which is $1.3 million before federal and state taxes. Then they bought an almost $500,000 home and the rest in a fast life to no where.-weshar75
That's really not a whole lot of money these days for them to be spending it that way, then again, I'm from NY, so it's not a lot of money here.
Various facts are true:
1: THe winner claimed their winnings in lump sum.
2: They bought a house for 285k.
3: THe street was visited by police. (notice NOT their house but the street they resided on). Heck the Whitehouse could be accused of the same thing..
4: This article is riddled with allegations which leave the average reader to speculate.
I'll speculate that the first three statements are true and the rest is creative writing ...
I concur with your diagnosis of this malignant and recalcitrant behavior!
Todd...one thing to keep in mind about Oregon's tax structure is that there is no sales tax on anything. This makes the income tax a liitle eaiser to take.
The Oregonian newspaper said the couple and two sons named in the suit all have a criminal history: Samuel; Elizabeth, 47; and Samuel Jr., 24, have been convicted of drug offenses. Westley, 20, has been convicted of robbery.
Such a family... O.O
LOL! Well, if your going to do it you might as well do it right. Personally, it's hard to imagine not being able to think of anything better to do with the money than throwing a party every night.