$196M Ohio lottery winner trying to claim anonymously?

May 27, 2008, 9:28 am (31 comments)

Mega Millions

The winner of the $196 million Mega Millions winning ticket sold in Ohio last week hasn't stepped forward yet, but there are indications that he or she might want to remain anonymous.

Ohio Lottery spokeswoman Jeannie Roberts said Thursday that the lottery has received inquiries about how to claim the prize through a blind trust. Having a lawyer set up such a trust would shield the winner's name from public release.

But Roberts cautioned that the winning ticket has not yet been produced, and lottery officials are not certain that the person who called is representing the winner.

The winning ticket was purchased at Main Street Wine & Spirits in Amelia. The store's owner will receive $100,000 from the lottery for selling the jackpot ticket.

The winner could receive the prize in one of two ways: a lump sum payment of about $82 million after taxes, or annual payments of $5.2 million a year for 26 years.

Thanks to DC81 for the tip.

Cincinnati Enquirer

Comments

MeFirstYouLast

Obvously some one not enchanted with their current environment; fmaily, neighbors, friends. I wonder if they are going to move and talk to no one. You can't "remain anonymous" and show up with $196M at the country club.  How do I have $196M to spend and not move on up to the luxury world? I don't. Gimmie the winning ticket and I am at the door the next working day with a smile in my face. I want those computers in Las Vegas to know who the rich guy is!

Sandra Dee's avatarSandra Dee

Quote: Originally posted by MeFirstYouLast on May 27, 2008

Obvously some one not enchanted with their current environment; fmaily, neighbors, friends. I wonder if they are going to move and talk to no one. You can't "remain anonymous" and show up with $196M at the country club.  How do I have $196M to spend and not move on up to the luxury world? I don't. Gimmie the winning ticket and I am at the door the next working day with a smile in my face. I want those computers in Las Vegas to know who the rich guy is!

but remember, you have a registered gun and aint afraid to use it - most of us don't and he may just not be into country clubs - if and when i should win, i'm doing the same thing! but no long speech from me about being out for good .. then spend all my dough and come back to ask for lifetime memberships .. i'm never leaving you LP - i'll be that mole [cute mole] on your butt forever! Razz

RJOh's avatarRJOh

May be it's what has happened before in Ohio.  A person walked out on a spouse years ago, never get divorced and now while shacked up with someone else wins a big lottery jackpot.  What do they do?

It has happen more than once in Ohio.  I remember years ago that happened to guy from Pennsylvania who won the Ohio Super lottery for $40M+.  He claimed it with his young girl friend, his estranged wife sued him for half of his share and got it and his girl friend split keeping her half for herself and he ended up with a quarter of a prize he believed was all his.

JWBlue

If I was worried about friends/family after winning a jackpot, they aren't worth keeping in my life.  I would claim the money and split town.

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by JWBlue on May 27, 2008

If I was worried about friends/family after winning a jackpot, they aren't worth keeping in my life.  I would claim the money and split town.

I would want to share my good fortune with family and I don't hang with people I wouldn't consider a friend during better times.

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on May 27, 2008

I would want to share my good fortune with family and I don't hang with people I wouldn't consider a friend during better times.

I agree, my friend list does not include every one in the neighborhood.  A wave as you drive, or your kid begging candy once a year, by does not make you my friend.  However, there is that concept called the wood work.  Some people would whine for a percentage of ant urine.

psykomo's avatarpsykomo

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on May 27, 2008

May be it's what has happened before in Ohio.  A person walked out on a spouse years ago, never get divorced and now while shacked up with someone else wins a big lottery jackpot.  What do they do?

It has happen more than once in Ohio.  I remember years ago that happened to guy from Pennsylvania who won the Ohio Super lottery for $40M+.  He claimed it with his young girl friend, his estranged wife sued him for half of his share and got it and his girl friend split keeping her half for herself and he ended up with a quarter of a prize he believed was all his.

RJOh:

GIVE this WINNER a CHANCE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

PSYKO can't call the SHOT'sss $$$ 4-U or anyone ................................

THINK about this WON ??????????????????????????????????????????

PSYKO just back from MEXICO L@@K'g @ real estate with a >>>>>>>

cementary in the back YARD >>>>>> great beach  PROPERTY  ???????

QUESTION:

WHAT would U-DO ??????? RJOh ???????

BUY or WHAT.......  ???????......... someone need's 2 make DECISION!!

THANK's

PSYKOMO

DC81's avatarDC81

Potentially good story, glad I found it. Big Grin If the person is planning on claiming anonymously, I say good for them as long as they then don't go out and make it obvious they did win. Personally that's how I'd want to claim if I could. I have no problem saying "no" and the number of people I would even give a nickle to is extremely small but I just wouldn't want to deal with the hassle of being bugged about it in the first place by people or "charities" whom I feel could just jump off a cliff as far as I'm concerned, the less people who know the better. When I move I don't want anyone I meet to be able to just put my name into google and find a story about my win. I'd rather be able to make up a story that would work for me, not like I'd be going around looking like a have millions of dollars, but I'm certainly not going to appear broke. Granted it'll get out locally thanks to relatives and gossip, but it's easy to control a small group than a huge crowd. I'd like to keep the bullseye as small as possible. I'd get a concealed weapon license along with weapon training as well as getting back into wrestling, Judo and shape. But you can only protect yourselfso much.. But I wouldn't live in fear and a little (and I do mean little) bit of paranoia never hurt anyone.

 

People tend to look at lottery winners and their money differently than they do someone who, how should I say this? Earned it? Especially family, more so if they're the jealous type that view a win as though the person doesn't deserve it so why can't they have a share?  Granted I can only really speak of my "family" and most of them are the type that would do whatever they could to get a piece. Thankfully, I don't think it'd be that hard to get away from them to where they wouldn't be able to find me, they're too lazy to put real effort into it anyway. Lottery winners seem to get much less respect than someone who's spent years amassing their fortune for the reason that it's instant money. Many winners seem to have that problem too. Not me though, I'd deserve every penny.

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by psykomo on May 27, 2008

RJOh:

GIVE this WINNER a CHANCE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

PSYKO can't call the SHOT'sss $$$ 4-U or anyone ................................

THINK about this WON ??????????????????????????????????????????

PSYKO just back from MEXICO L@@K'g @ real estate with a >>>>>>>

cementary in the back YARD >>>>>> great beach  PROPERTY  ???????

QUESTION:

WHAT would U-DO ??????? RJOh ???????

BUY or WHAT.......  ???????......... someone need's 2 make DECISION!!

THANK's

PSYKOMO

I was at a farm auction in my area a couple of years ago and the land had been divided into several parcels for the sale.  According to the auctioneer one wooded parcel had some wet land and an old family cemetery.  I didn't bid on it but the auctioneer wanted the bidders to be aware because there were state laws concerning such land.   

psykomo's avatarpsykomo

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on May 27, 2008

I was at a farm auction in my area a couple of years ago and the land had been divided into several parcels for the sale.  According to the auctioneer one wooded parcel had some wet land and an old family cemetery.  I didn't bid on it but the auctioneer wanted the bidders to be aware because there were state laws concerning such land.   

THANK'sssssssssssRJOH:

UR a $MART PER$ON >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

that is what we need too KNOW,  but we DONOT  know  cost/remove

@ this TIME $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

LOL

PSYKOMO

PS:

this is not a QP

JWBlue

Quote: Originally posted by psykomo on May 27, 2008

THANK'sssssssssssRJOH:

UR a $MART PER$ON >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

that is what we need too KNOW,  but we DONOT  know  cost/remove

@ this TIME $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

LOL

PSYKOMO

PS:

this is not a QP

Am I the only person that would not give money to ANY of my friends?  If a friend of mine won a lottrey jackpot I would not expect anything from him/her except maybe a night out drinking.

 

(mefirstyoulast, where are you?  I have a feeling we are on the same page with this one)

Piaceri

I am actually kind of surprised at some of the reactions to this story. With all the questions about how to claim anonymous to protect from the kooks and moochers with sob stories showing up at your door or in your mail, you would think all of you would be cheering this person on.  It sounds to me like someone is attempting to take the right steps anyway.

Anonymous claiming would be my first question, maybe not via blind trust. I don't really know at this point.  If my first inquiry resulted in a negative, I would then ask about skipping the press conference.

One of these days, some lottery winner is going to get stalked by some creep and either hurt or killed.  As a single woman with college age children, my privacy and safety would be #1.

Nirvona

Quote: Originally posted by DC81 on May 27, 2008

Potentially good story, glad I found it. Big Grin If the person is planning on claiming anonymously, I say good for them as long as they then don't go out and make it obvious they did win. Personally that's how I'd want to claim if I could. I have no problem saying "no" and the number of people I would even give a nickle to is extremely small but I just wouldn't want to deal with the hassle of being bugged about it in the first place by people or "charities" whom I feel could just jump off a cliff as far as I'm concerned, the less people who know the better. When I move I don't want anyone I meet to be able to just put my name into google and find a story about my win. I'd rather be able to make up a story that would work for me, not like I'd be going around looking like a have millions of dollars, but I'm certainly not going to appear broke. Granted it'll get out locally thanks to relatives and gossip, but it's easy to control a small group than a huge crowd. I'd like to keep the bullseye as small as possible. I'd get a concealed weapon license along with weapon training as well as getting back into wrestling, Judo and shape. But you can only protect yourselfso much.. But I wouldn't live in fear and a little (and I do mean little) bit of paranoia never hurt anyone.

 

People tend to look at lottery winners and their money differently than they do someone who, how should I say this? Earned it? Especially family, more so if they're the jealous type that view a win as though the person doesn't deserve it so why can't they have a share?  Granted I can only really speak of my "family" and most of them are the type that would do whatever they could to get a piece. Thankfully, I don't think it'd be that hard to get away from them to where they wouldn't be able to find me, they're too lazy to put real effort into it anyway. Lottery winners seem to get much less respect than someone who's spent years amassing their fortune for the reason that it's instant money. Many winners seem to have that problem too. Not me though, I'd deserve every penny.

Yeah I think I agree with you. Money does some strange things to people. I for one tested my family out once. (TRUE STORY) I live away from my family for numerous reasons. One day I was in an accident and was hurt, but not seriuosly. Of course my family that did not come to visit because I live too far said, "Oh you are gonna get some good money from this case". A year goes by and my mom keeps asking me if I got the money yet. So, I get tired of her asking and I say one day, "yes, they gave me 35k." She says wow, I am going to come stay with your for a little bit so you can help me out with my bills, you don't mind do you? I was amazed that she said this, since she never once offered to come and "help" me out when I was in pain from the accident. So, I told her NO, she could not come and stay with me. She called me everyday after that talking about her financial problems, thinking I would feel bad and give her some money. She told everyone in my family that I had 35k and I did not give her any yet. This went on for about a month. Finally, I told her I did not have the money, she got mad and hung up in my face. On the back burner during the month, she was still making plans to move with me so I could "help" her financially. WOW....

 

That story is the number one reason why I would try my best to remain anonymous!!!! OH yeah in the end..I got 1500.00 LMAO!!!!!Confused

MeFirstYouLast

Quote: Originally posted by Piaceri on May 27, 2008

I am actually kind of surprised at some of the reactions to this story. With all the questions about how to claim anonymous to protect from the kooks and moochers with sob stories showing up at your door or in your mail, you would think all of you would be cheering this person on.  It sounds to me like someone is attempting to take the right steps anyway.

Anonymous claiming would be my first question, maybe not via blind trust. I don't really know at this point.  If my first inquiry resulted in a negative, I would then ask about skipping the press conference.

One of these days, some lottery winner is going to get stalked by some creep and either hurt or killed.  As a single woman with college age children, my privacy and safety would be #1.

Trust me on this, your annanimity wouldn't last the drive home.  The drive-by media are political idiots, but you give them challenge about something they ebelive in, and out pops integrity.  You may be able to hide with a 4-5 million jackpot, but forget it when you hit something major, say in the 100 million bracket.  They won't stop tracking you down, until they find you! Try to hide and you raise the table stakes!

Believe otherwise and you WILL become a victim.  Ever seen a college kid who could keep a major, monster, secret?  Especially knowing they woke up one morning and discovered they were a millionaire.  When asked where the new car, new cell telephone, new clothes, and ability to fly home whenever they wished, came from, one slip to a friend with a big mouth, one wrong word over heard, B-I-N-G-O !  If a member of the government, knowing the penalty is 20 years in federal prison, can't keep their mouths shut, some college kids with knowledge of hundreds of millions will never keep their mouths shut! Never gonna happen! 

The smart bet, hire security for a certain timeline, until the pressure drops off, then go about a normal life.  Lots of ex-SEALS looking for an income. No weapons needed, just knowledge!  You could afford it and criminals never take on resistance.

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

Set up an LLC, owned by a trust and send your attorney to claim it.  Skip town shortly after...................we can dream can't we??Approve

Bagent's avatarBagent

Quote: Originally posted by JWBlue on May 27, 2008

Am I the only person that would not give money to ANY of my friends?  If a friend of mine won a lottrey jackpot I would not expect anything from him/her except maybe a night out drinking.

 

(mefirstyoulast, where are you?  I have a feeling we are on the same page with this one)

JWB

As far as I am concerned, you are not the only one who wouldn't GIVE money to friends.  I for one, have no intention on just giving away money that I should win in the lottery.  I would give some money to my parents who are living off of social security at the moment and would pay off all my moms medical bills and provide them enough $$ to live comfortably.

I would also pay off any debts that I have with family members who have helped me in the past.  But to go off and just give $$ to family just because I won or was asked to help them financially, there is no way in hell that I will do that.

I would take the money and then simply disappear with my wife and kids.  If that includes moving out of the country, so be it.

MeFirstYouLast

I can't help, again, wondering how much interest I am willing to throw away because of a paranoia.  The answer keep coming up with zero!  Waiting weeks to claim the money, means weeks without the money, thus zero interest. That does not appear to be the smartest decision I could make. All because I am not grown up enough to tell some one to kiss off. or use stronger phrases? Nadda! I know how to keep what is mine!  Learned how to do that with a weekly paycheck for fifty plus year! Then again, if I was immature, insecure, and paranoid, wastng money wouldn't bother me at all. Hey, might even hire some one to tell me when to visit the lu.

foragoodcause's avatarforagoodcause

I don't blame that person,the day i win the lotto i will stay anonymous it's nobody business.

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Quote: Originally posted by Piaceri on May 27, 2008

I am actually kind of surprised at some of the reactions to this story. With all the questions about how to claim anonymous to protect from the kooks and moochers with sob stories showing up at your door or in your mail, you would think all of you would be cheering this person on.  It sounds to me like someone is attempting to take the right steps anyway.

Anonymous claiming would be my first question, maybe not via blind trust. I don't really know at this point.  If my first inquiry resulted in a negative, I would then ask about skipping the press conference.

One of these days, some lottery winner is going to get stalked by some creep and either hurt or killed.  As a single woman with college age children, my privacy and safety would be #1.

MeFirstYouLast

If you take an average number of (over) 100 lottery winners world wide, annually, and multiple that over the last 20 years, you come up with an astonishingly high number of people. That only counters the jackpot winners.  The count of less then the jackpot is probably 100 or 200 times that.  The number who are bothered are minimal.  Remove those who blab and blab to all who will listen, and that number drops even higher. Remove those who chose to remain in high crime areas, or hang with criminal and druggies, and the number goes down even higher.  Remove those who made it through thrity days (which security consultants can handle), and I don't remember any one being bothered.  If you have security for a month or two, you have exceeded the memory capability of those who would attempt to attack an area with security alarm systems.  Criminals are stupid, but not totally dumb.

Again, there is zero protection from a blabber mouth.  There is even less then zero protect from a wife; give it up if it is an ex-wife!  Once hormones are released, stone walls are useless. Remaining anonymous does nothing to protect any one from the rage of a wife.  Neither logic, facts, common sense, nor a separation of the Red Sea, will stop an outraged wife.  Watch U-Tube and you'll see proof  of that!  There is a constant exhibit of deranged women, soon there will be one spinning her head and spewing pea soup.

eproducer

Did I not read that Ohio was looking to get rid of the "anonymous" option? 

spy153's avatarspy153

Quote: Originally posted by DC81 on May 27, 2008

Potentially good story, glad I found it. Big Grin If the person is planning on claiming anonymously, I say good for them as long as they then don't go out and make it obvious they did win. Personally that's how I'd want to claim if I could. I have no problem saying "no" and the number of people I would even give a nickle to is extremely small but I just wouldn't want to deal with the hassle of being bugged about it in the first place by people or "charities" whom I feel could just jump off a cliff as far as I'm concerned, the less people who know the better. When I move I don't want anyone I meet to be able to just put my name into google and find a story about my win. I'd rather be able to make up a story that would work for me, not like I'd be going around looking like a have millions of dollars, but I'm certainly not going to appear broke. Granted it'll get out locally thanks to relatives and gossip, but it's easy to control a small group than a huge crowd. I'd like to keep the bullseye as small as possible. I'd get a concealed weapon license along with weapon training as well as getting back into wrestling, Judo and shape. But you can only protect yourselfso much.. But I wouldn't live in fear and a little (and I do mean little) bit of paranoia never hurt anyone.

 

People tend to look at lottery winners and their money differently than they do someone who, how should I say this? Earned it? Especially family, more so if they're the jealous type that view a win as though the person doesn't deserve it so why can't they have a share?  Granted I can only really speak of my "family" and most of them are the type that would do whatever they could to get a piece. Thankfully, I don't think it'd be that hard to get away from them to where they wouldn't be able to find me, they're too lazy to put real effort into it anyway. Lottery winners seem to get much less respect than someone who's spent years amassing their fortune for the reason that it's instant money. Many winners seem to have that problem too. Not me though, I'd deserve every penny.

People tend to look at lottery winners and their money differently than they do someone who, how should I say this? Earned it? Especially family, more so if they're the jealous type that view a win as though the person doesn't deserve it so why can't they have a share?

Heck, my family feels that way even about people who earn the money.  I have that proverbial "rich uncle."  Two, in fact.  And a well-to-do brother.  Everyone, including my dear sweet mother (who no one would ever suspect) thinks they deserve a piece of that money.  My mother owed the IRS some money last year and expected my brother to pay it.  Why?  If she would have saved her money in the bank, she would could have paid it herself.  She bitched about it for over a year before ever actually doing anything about it.  All that time and she couldn't save the money?  We are talking about someone who owns their own business here, who is doing well and thriving.  Not living paycheck to paycheck.  And yet, those family members who are living paycheck to paycheck wouldn't dream of asking for any money from any of the above. 

He refused to help her out at all.  I guess he has noticed her clinging to him like white on rice since he started making alot of money.  Her boyfriend ended up paying for it all., which shocked me, since it came from his retirement fund. 

Naturally, if I won, my mother would be taken care of... but there is something about people who stand with their hands out just because someone is doing better than them, that I don't like.

LckyLary

Look, that person's pulling into the Gas Station and asking to "fill it" with "Super"! They MUST be the $196M winner because nobody else has that kind of dough! Or they came out of Sam's Club with four bags of rice, another red flag!

OK.. it was ME. I lost the ticket in the parking lot. What do you mean, I was in nj the whole time? Prove it! OK, maybe it wasn't me... but you just wait 'till I take up boxing! I'll be rich AND famous!!!

Why do people have to use blind trusts? Then I don't know who to be jealous of or who to ask to borrow money from to buy gas or rice!

They have computers in Las Vegas???

myturn's avatarmyturn

All winners should be allowed to remain anonymous. It is totally ridiculous that some lotteries require winners to go public. There should be a law allowing winners to remain anonymous. Many who do go public, regret it later. It is time for state governments to legislate for anonymity.

Sandra Dee's avatarSandra Dee

Quote: Originally posted by myturn on Jun 2, 2008

All winners should be allowed to remain anonymous. It is totally ridiculous that some lotteries require winners to go public. There should be a law allowing winners to remain anonymous. Many who do go public, regret it later. It is time for state governments to legislate for anonymity.

I Agree! and amen!! and with all these killings and stalkers and sheisty neighbors, i will take the lottery commission to court and sight those reasons alone as to why i MUST claim anonymously. period!

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by Sandra Dee on Jun 2, 2008

I Agree! and amen!! and with all these killings and stalkers and sheisty neighbors, i will take the lottery commission to court and sight those reasons alone as to why i MUST claim anonymously. period!

I Agree! Xs 2

murdoog

It seems like I read a story on here a while back about a woman who got the money put into a blind trust but whose name was revealed anyway. Does that ring a bell with anyone?

tg636

There is no point in publicly getting the money unless you want to be famous, with all the attendant problems.  People seem to misunderstand the point of claiming anonymously. It is not so no one at all will ever find out - you assume your family and friends will - it is to keep your name out of the papers and internet and keep the beggars, thieves, con men, moochers, long lost cousins, etc. away from your door and your phone. Having $150 million is life changing enough without the circus going on every time you walk out your door.

However, if I were young and single and looking to meet women, I'd probably put my picture out there.

DC81's avatarDC81

Quote: Originally posted by murdoog on Jun 3, 2008

It seems like I read a story on here a while back about a woman who got the money put into a blind trust but whose name was revealed anyway. Does that ring a bell with anyone?

The only story I'm aware of was the one from a few months ago about the Illinois winner who claimed it in a trust (but for some reason took something like two or three months to do it) but I don't believe the name of the wiiner was released just the attorneys. They did mention something that about the winner working for a pharmacy (or maybe owning it) that if true, pretty much give away who it is to those who live near the winner. But again, that info could have been made up and the winner might have been wearing a disguise aside from the big sun glasses.

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