A very cautious Southern Ontario man has won the largest jackpot in Canadian history.
Raymond Sobeski waited almost an entire year before coming forward to claim his prize of $30 million because, he says, he didn't want to "do anything rash."
He won the staggering prize on the Super 7 draw on April 11, 2003. Now the ex-farmer and self-employed computer repairman, says he's ready to become a multimillionaire.
When he was asked how he felt Sobeski - who will only say he's "in his 40s" - said, "A little numb, actually. A little surreal. It doesn't feel like it's really happening."
Sobeski bought the winning ticket at his local corner store in Princeton, Ont., near Brantford. When he found out he had won "I tried to stay calm, not do anything rash."
He says he checked and verified the numbers "about 200 times."
Sobeski held on to the ticket for so long before stepping forward that it was set to expire in less than two weeks.
Lottery officials say they've never had anyone wait so long to cash in, but they understand.
"You know what I think," said Kathy Pittman of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, "he's just a guy that takes his time to make any large decisions. And I guess, ultimately, this is the largest decision he'll ever have to make."
Canada's newest multimillionaire says he wants to take care of his elderly parents, his siblings, and do some travelling.
i'd say that that guy knew exactly what he was doing ....i would have done the exact thing and covered all avenues in order to get the MOST of the loot without having to pay any more taxes then necessary.
Turns out he had a reason to wait. His divorce was finalized just a couple of months ago. He should have paid for better legal advice. At the time of his divorce he was legally obligated to declare his net worth, that includes an uncashed lottery ticket.
You should obviously claim a jackpot win on the very first day you can, especially in Canada where you have to claim the prize personally instead of hiding behind lawyers. Even if you want to take one year or more to plan your winnings, you could at least park your millions in 100%-guaranteed treasury bills or bonds and let it earn interest. Why let the lottery agency keep the interest on YOUR money?
It seems that Sobeski found out that he won $30 million back last April. He then plotted to divorce his wife first before coming forward. She was served divorce papers in January 2004, but she claims that she never signed the papers. Maybe he hated her so much last year that $15 million was not enough for him and did not want to give her a single cent. Strangely enough, she said they spent Thursday night together in a hotel room after he had secretly picked up and deposited the $30 million. He then hightailed it to the south on a golfing holiday. I'm sure we'll hear much more about the trials and tribulations of Canada's biggest jackpot winner - just like hillbilly Jack Whitaker.
I am thinking he planned this out from the beginning. Picked up and deposited the cheque on Thursday. Wire transferred it out of the country and left the country to never return and face the music.
Hi I was just wondering that guy that won 30 million he waited a year to pick it up now what would have happened if he died between last April and this April what would have happened to his money would it have gone to family memebers or went back in to the system
Good thing Canadian jackpots are ALWAYS lump-sum...
some states pay "annuity-only" if the ticket holder waits more than 60 days.
i suppose it's best not to
i'd say that that guy knew exactly what he was doing ....i would have done the exact thing and covered all avenues in order to get the MOST of the loot without having to pay any more taxes then necessary.
I would have hired a legal firm to keep my name anonymous. It seems that when you win money of large amounts it creates problems.
Turns out he had a reason to wait. His divorce was finalized just a couple of months ago. He should have paid for better legal advice. At the time of his divorce he was legally obligated to declare his net worth, that includes an uncashed lottery ticket.
Good luck,
Jake
You should obviously claim a jackpot win on the very first day you can, especially in Canada where you have to claim the prize personally instead of hiding behind lawyers. Even if you want to take one year or more to plan your winnings, you could at least park your millions in 100%-guaranteed treasury bills or bonds and let it earn interest. Why let the lottery agency keep the interest on YOUR money?
It seems that Sobeski found out that he won $30 million back last April. He then plotted to divorce his wife first before coming forward. She was served divorce papers in January 2004, but she claims that she never signed the papers. Maybe he hated her so much last year that $15 million was not enough for him and did not want to give her a single cent. Strangely enough, she said they spent Thursday night together in a hotel room after he had secretly picked up and deposited the $30 million. He then hightailed it to the south on a golfing holiday. I'm sure we'll hear much more about the trials and tribulations of Canada's biggest jackpot winner - just like hillbilly Jack Whitaker.
Read http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1080957720556_76366920/?hub=TopStories
I am thinking he planned this out from the beginning. Picked up and deposited the cheque on Thursday. Wire transferred it out of the country and left the country to never return and face the music.
Jake
Hi I was just wondering that guy that won 30 million he waited a year to pick it up now what would have happened if he died between last April and this April what would have happened to his money would it have gone to family memebers or went back in to the system
Linds
thanks
it was set to expire in les
Did you hear. He took the money and went overseas. Check yahoo for news.
I could have heard him SHOUT Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!