Winner of $9.7M prize forms corporation to conceal identity
The winner of a $9.7 million Washington Lotto jackpot has claimed the prize more than a month after the drawing.
The winning ticket was brought in to the Lottery's Everett regional office by a representative for A2A3A4, LLC of Seattle. The corporation opted for the cash payment, receiving $3,637,500 after taxes.
Lottery spokeswoman Jacque Coe said it was unusual that no winner came forward immediately after the July 26 drawing.
"When the jackpot gets this high, people are buying tickets, and they're checking their tickets very frequently," she said. "They're losing interest earnings within a day or two. Most people don't take a chance."
Coe also said that most winners don't claim prizes as corporations.
"It's unusual when someone claims this way," said Jacque Coe, Lotto spokeswoman. "Sometimes people do it to remain anonymous."
The corporation was formed Aug. 27, according to Washington Secretary of State corporation records.
Thanks to Uff Da! for the tip.
need I say more
I was particularly interested in the choice of name for the corporation: A2A3A4, LLC. There have been a number of comments on various threads that a winner doesn't have to include his/her name in the name of a trust or corporation, at least not in most states, thus helping to preserve anonymity. The unusual name this winner used certainly wouldn't give much of a hint as to his/her identity!
The strange thing is that a couple of years ago in a series of email communications I had with the Washington State lottery office, the representative made it sound as though it was impossible to remain anonymous in this state. I no longer have the emails, so I can't give exact wording, but I was reminded that a winner could be required by the lottery commissioner to participate in a news conference and a publicity picture at the commissioner's option. I was also told that according to open records laws that the individual's names who are beneficiaries under a trust could be discovered by the press. Either it was just a good bluff or the lottery office has since learned that they don't have the authority they thought they had!
Not everyone wants to become a target. Why would it be unusual to claim it anonymously? I definately would.
You gotta find me first!
I just hope it is not my ex who won. He owes thousands in back child support. Hopefully they still run the winner's social security number to make sure there are no child support payments or other debts due. He is always looking for a way to escape paying the past due monies. He won last year, not sure how much, but they took a big chunk of it and gave it to me. I know it wasn't millions cause then I would be paid off.
I'm fine with the anonymous. But ya, would of liked to hear their winning story. Everett is just a tad bigger than my rinky dink town. With their population of over 98,000 (july 2007 count) I think it just might be possible to duck and weave people/media. My town of a little over 5,000 (july 2007 count) you'd be lucky to last a day before everyone knew it was you. Kind of hard to overlook. I live paycheck to paycheck...have a total fixer-upper house, but on a nice family street....and a car thats just about to die lol. I think my neighbors would catch on pretty easy. How would you change your lifestyle to where its not noticeable?
As for taking it lump sum. Is that a better way to take 9 million? Would it be smarter to take it in yearly payments? I mean you'd never worry about money ever again with the annual payments on that. Or could it mean the winnners are older and the possible 26 year payout didn't look appealing or workable...
Maybe the next winner will be me :) Would you believe me when I tell ya? LOL
LOL .....The lottery commission was upset that a person or persons wanted to keep the secret...haha that is funny. Well i know they will be very upset with me when I win b/c i'm not even going to the office with the lawyer.
I always thought we had to at least show up to the Local Lottery Headquarters w/an Attorney to make the Claim.......how else can we do it......;..)??
It is unfortunate how much you lose after tax too!
I think you should be able to remain anonymous if you win, I would! I wouldn't want everybody who lives in my street knowing I've just won $10million! I can think of a few ppl who would prob become a close friend of mine all of a sudden!
Amanda
I don't care who knows I won.......it's my winnings and my money......but I didn't know we could claimthe funds without ever showing up at the Lottery Headquarters.....I thought we had to at least show up with an Attorney to prove we had won the prize......'..)
Well, you could always move to a better neighborhood where other rich people live and they wouldn't care how much money you had.