Would You Risk Losing Lottery Jackpot Over Privacy?
By now, you’ve heard the story: the winner of a $560 million lottery jackpot wants to claim her prize anonymously. The New Hampshire woman is quoted as saying that she would like to “contribute a portion of her winnings to a charitable foundation” and to then be a “silent witness to these good works”, avoiding the “misfortune that has often fallen upon other lottery winners”.
New Hampshire lottery rules do allow for winners to remain anonymous, but this woman waived her right to do so when she signed her Powerball ticket. In accordance with open-record laws, she is now required to make public her name, city of residence, and amount won. The woman said that she regrets signing the back of the lottery ticket and is now asking for a judge’s order that would allow her to protect her privacy.
What would you do?
