Florida couple, nearly penniless, claim half of $414M lottery jackpot

Comment #70

Saylorgirl — Tue, 13 May 2014 11:57:02 GMT

In case you don't realize that it is not only the big corporations or the big banks that people file bankruptcy against. They are many small merchants, Doctors, Dentist and Landlords that are deeply hurt when someone files bankruptcy. Many of these who the people have direct contact with and make promises knowing they don't intend to keep those promises but to use their goods and services and then make all their obligations go away. In the past two years I have had 3 separate bankruptcies filed... [ More ]

Comment #69

TheGameGrl — Mon, 12 May 2014 23:58:29 GMT

and morals are not always congruent with the law of the federal bankruptcy laws. So Its not your business to dedicate who pays back and who doesn't, unless you are fully responsible for writing and passing the laws thru congress? Are YOU? I doubt it.

Care to share how corporate america is shafted? bank of America and Well fargo sure felt no moral obligation when they filed bankruptcy, what makes one person more morally accountable?

They passed the bankruptcy rules. I doubt they will lose... [ More ]

Comment #68

RedStang — Sun, 11 May 2014 23:47:32 GMT

I wonder what these winners would do without the lottery. I know some who claimed bankruptcy twice and they still have nice cars and buy coffee at DD.

Comment #67

Drenick1 — Fri, 09 May 2014 09:11:48 GMT

I agree that it wasn't wise to expose yourself especially since it wasn't required. They need to relocate to a different part of Florida in order to be able to enjoy their newfound wealth in peace.

Comment #66

sully16 — Wed, 07 May 2014 12:50:53 GMT

Congrats to the lucky couple, enjoy your new found wealth.

Comment #65

Missy 34 — Wed, 07 May 2014 03:32:54 GMT

Wow. how awesome. i have been praying its me because i need surgery and

georgia hosp wont help. being in pain is not pretty. but im grateful they won. i speak im next in the name of jesus

Comment #64

BuyLow — Tue, 06 May 2014 22:03:08 GMT

What I don't get is that in FL you don't have to have your photograph taken. So they form a trust ostensibly to obscure their identity and then they allow a pic.....doesn't add up.

Comment #63

Arrowhead — Tue, 06 May 2014 19:30:10 GMT

You missed the point, which was others said on here she'd 'feel better' about her JP win if she took care of past debt obligations (bankruptcy). Which I found ridiculous.

I suggested a better way was to contribute to the improvement of her community, which is something I'd feel very strongly about should I ever get as fortunate and win a JP of comparable size.

For all I care, she can move to Fiji and spend the rest of her existence drinking from coconuts. It's perfectly within her right.... [ More ]

Comment #62

Drenick1 — Tue, 06 May 2014 17:10:24 GMT

The article didn't mention if she filed for chapter 7 liquidation or chapter 13 reorganization and with less than $5 at the time of her bankruptcy filing, I would venture to guess she did a chapter 7 which I believe can be discharged within 3-6 months. The chapter 13 filing would take years (at least 4-5 years) as it's nothing more than a heavily discounted repayment plan.

They need to relocate to an area where their wealth won't be too obvious. The town they currently live in will broadcast... [ More ]

Comment #61

faber98 — Tue, 06 May 2014 14:16:47 GMT

why should she if she doesn't want to renovate some florida town to ease her guilt for what? filing bankruptcy? the banks who charge exorbitant interest if you make a late payment or get bailed out by the govt. if they make bad loans don't feel guilty. she probably just began the bankruptcy filing and it probably will be voided and never come to court.

Comment #60

Arrowhead — Mon, 05 May 2014 18:09:23 GMT

After taking care of family, friends and local businesses she may owe money to, spending $$$ within her community---helping update/renovate schools, libraries, police/fire stations and equipment, parks, playgrounds, ballfields---is the best way to make her 'conscience' feel better.

Anything else in regards to her Chapter 11 past issues is complete nonsense. That's past history.

Comment #59

Win$500Quick — Sun, 04 May 2014 20:17:43 GMT

Congrats to the lucky winners.

Comment #58

jjtheprince — Sun, 04 May 2014 19:18:51 GMT

Congrats to them, I always like hearing about poor people who win.

Comment #57

Toronto — Sun, 04 May 2014 18:16:15 GMT

Or die of mercury poisoning

Comment #56

Drenick1 — Sun, 04 May 2014 16:27:26 GMT

With $69 million after all tax obligations, your game plan would most definitely work for 99% of the population.

The winner will enjoy her life even more knowing that all her past obligation/debts were satisfied. I wonder if her and her boyfriend will now get married

Comment #55

CDanaT — Sun, 04 May 2014 16:07:33 GMT

$115,448,968 lump sum - Uncle Sam's Cut ($45,717,791) nets you------$69,731,177

(Florida has no state income tax-sweeeeet)

To continue to work and stick around for a pension ??....I am thinking, Hey employer keep the pension, I AM MOBILE .

I will enjoyably spend the 9 MIL and change on houses,family, toys, etc. etc...... Invest the remaining 60 and live off the interest at a modest 3-4% very comfortably.....and gladly repay any debt that I have owed from the past.

But thats jus... [ More ]

Comment #54

Mattapan — Sun, 04 May 2014 11:53:42 GMT

I agree. I think it would go a long way if she showed an effort to handle this.

Comment #53

Arrowhead — Sun, 04 May 2014 03:03:46 GMT

Local, sure. The town's heating/cooling outfit that got stiffed on the new furnace financing of five years ago? Cut 'em a check.

That Wells Fargo or Bank of America credit card debt of five grand that was settled Chapter 11? They'll be just fine...

Comment #52

Saylorgirl — Sun, 04 May 2014 02:58:24 GMT

I agree with you 100%.

Comment #51

Drenick1 — Sun, 04 May 2014 02:23:12 GMT

She is not required to pay back any past debt that was part of her bankruptcy filing but she it would go a long way towards clearing her conscious if she did. The old debt most likely amounted to just a fraction of her new net worth.

Comment #50

Arrowhead — Sun, 04 May 2014 01:48:57 GMT

The bankruptcy is the past. She evidently adhered to all legal procedures and has been paying the price in regards to credit ratings, non-access to possible loans, etc., the typical ramifications when filing Chapter 11.

The lottery win is the present and the future. The only 'moral' obligation she has in my mind is to re-pay any local small businesses that weren't properly 'taken care of' because of the bankruptcy.

Comment #49

mikeintexas — Sat, 03 May 2014 22:18:11 GMT

I agree, but it's not nearly as bad as when someone on public assistance wins the lottery. I've never had to be on it, but I've been broke before and what little disposable income I had certainly didn't go towards buying lottery tickets. The way I see it, people who do win who are on public assistance are playing with the public's money and should have to pay that money back with interest. I've read about some states seizing the money if the people continue on the dole after winning.

As fa... [ More ]

Comment #48

Mattapan — Sat, 03 May 2014 16:15:36 GMT

History and many discussions have shown that when Jackpot winners talk about continuing to work, they're talking about keeping their same job. Then reality sets in and they realize that it's not possible. If you want to believe otherwise, that's on you. I just watched her video and she said, I'm going to try to work, at least for a little while. I'll probably always work, but it'll be different work not my everyday work. Sounds like to me she's going to keep trying to stay on her job for a bit a... [ More ]

Comment #47

Dynomitemike — Sat, 03 May 2014 14:50:37 GMT

Lady Luck sometimes does pick the right winners;

When it is your time then and only then is it your time. And in Gods name share and give back.

CONGRADULATIONS AND INVEST WISELY AND ENJOY.

Comment #46

Saylorgirl — Sat, 03 May 2014 13:05:44 GMT

I agree with you on the bankruptcy. She filed just two years ago she has a moral responsibility to repay those that were shafted by her filing bankruptcy. She needs to make that right and then I will congratulate them on the win. Until that happens I will hold my congratulations.

Comment #45

Piaceri — Sat, 03 May 2014 12:52:33 GMT

Exactly! Continue to work does not mean they will stay at their current job. Maybe she wants to open a flower shop and employ people. Maybe she wants to open a hobby or craft store. Maybe she wants to create a charity and review/interview applicants to see who benefits from the charity. All require work . Who knows. There are plenty of things she can do to continue to work that don't involve taking a job away from someone who needs the paycheck more than she.

Don't be dissing a jackpot winner... [ More ]

Comment #44

Artist77 — Sat, 03 May 2014 12:22:39 GMT

..arbitration agreement...

Comment #43

CDanaT — Sat, 03 May 2014 12:09:21 GMT

While that maybe a public statement, one never knows fully the final consequences except the person(s) making it. Maybe by saying they are going to continue to work it means they are volunteering someplace or starting a non profit organization.

I agree with you on hobbies if I won that much. Even hobbies take some effort/work

Might have to start a non profit that I have thought of (while making my current plans after the big win).

Kudos to those folks. I hope they manage their win... [ More ]

Comment #42

Artist77 — Sat, 03 May 2014 11:42:44 GMT

Accidents at work and on work property would make the employer the legally responsible party. There also is likely an arbitration in place for all employees also so lawsuits would be very rare.

Comment #41

Artist77 — Sat, 03 May 2014 11:37:38 GMT

If the state is not one with an anonymous right to claim or a state that allows you to claim with a trust (with 100% confidentiality....which can vary also), then loopholes are not available. Even if their attorney claimed it, they would have to disclose for whom they were claiming it.

Comment #40

lottoguysocal — Sat, 03 May 2014 07:21:59 GMT

Congrats to the lucky winners! Just when it seem all hope was gone, lady luck came knocking on their door

Comment #39

HaveABall — Sat, 03 May 2014 02:51:12 GMT

Interesting question. Not asked to me, yet I know that some smaller jackpot winners did such, and I didn't have any feelings about it. After all, it was their life, money, choice, and feelings. I do recall wondering if they enjoyed that drug lifestyle though. The after knowledge gave me some peace in thinking that perhaps any sort of person could win huge amounts of money.

Anyhow, congratulations jackpot winners! I, too, am open to winning a large jackpot and finding additional things to ente... [ More ]

Comment #38

One-Day — Sat, 03 May 2014 00:48:58 GMT

With that kind of money I'd buy a half a million dallas island in Fla and stay there eating crustaceans until I grow a hard shell on my body. DISAPPEAR for 6 months or so.

Comment #37

Babes333 — Fri, 02 May 2014 22:57:25 GMT

Money is an obedient servant... That win is an amazing blessing! It can bless many or destroy however that free will is based on the conciousness of the winners. They choose everyday the life they want to live... just like the power you have in your everyday life. I pray they have the wisdom of great many choices . And the echoes of there positive decisions go on for a very long, generations to come in time.

And the First smart thing for them to do once they decided which way they will t... [ More ]

Comment #36

noise-gate — Fri, 02 May 2014 22:10:06 GMT

How they spend their money is their business- However....How would you feel if any winner took on the habit of feeding their nostrils or shooting up a vein...just asking.

Comment #35

OldSchoolPa — Fri, 02 May 2014 21:57:08 GMT

I really do not care if they spend it wisely since it is their money, not mine. How a person spends their cash should not matter to anyone except if that the source of that money is from taxpayer dollars (i.e. welfare, government workers, etc.). They do not fall into that category, so I say go buy nice cars, nice clothes, nice house; fly first class all over the world and stay in best hotels/villas. Take luxury cruises and go on safaris in different African countries. Visit all of the historic s... [ More ]

Comment #34

rock_nc — Fri, 02 May 2014 21:29:41 GMT

Comment #33

Gleno — Fri, 02 May 2014 21:16:09 GMT

Great to see that someone who needed the $dough won. Congratulations to the happy couple.

Comment #32

pickone4me — Fri, 02 May 2014 19:38:05 GMT

Halfway decent story for once, I however don't care for the consistent florida wins as of late either. I hope they don't waste their money on a stupid bicycle like that one winner did.

Comment #31

computerhead723 — Fri, 02 May 2014 18:52:05 GMT

where is _ US_Lotteries_ com

Comment #30

computerhead723 — Fri, 02 May 2014 18:51:16 GMT

where is snip .com the web page is down??????

This post has been automatically changed by the Lottery Post computer system to remove inappropriate content and/or spam.

Comment #29

mrcraft — Fri, 02 May 2014 17:58:54 GMT

Congrats!!

BTW, if she wants to continue to work, she should become her own boss and do something on her own. Much more rewarding and would avoid potential issues with co-workers mentioned above.

Comment #28

computerhead723 — Fri, 02 May 2014 17:51:01 GMT

Hey whats up with the web site --- snip .com ??????

This post has been automatically changed by the Lottery Post computer system to remove inappropriate content and/or spam.

Comment #27

Erzulieredeyes — Fri, 02 May 2014 17:45:54 GMT

I sure will!

USAMEGA/Lotterypost will get the exculsive video before it goes viral. lol

Comment #26

maringoman — Fri, 02 May 2014 17:19:12 GMT

Hahaha be sure to post the video on YouTube if you ever quit like that.

Comment #25

noise-gate — Fri, 02 May 2014 16:28:44 GMT

I 2nd that Easy- its one of the reasons l returned all the outstanding library books from way back, have no Facebook account either. They probably going to dig anyway- l will hand them a shovel though.

Comment #24

Erzulieredeyes — Fri, 02 May 2014 15:41:28 GMT

It would be interesting to see what the news reporters and investigators find on me since my life is so boring...lol

I would love to see them try to dig something up.

Must be why my numbers always come close a lot of times, but never wins! lol

Comment #23

Erzulieredeyes — Fri, 02 May 2014 15:36:28 GMT

She should do the right thing and repay her debts from the bankruptcy since she has all this sudden wealth now. NO EXCUSES!

If I win that kind of money I am going to quit in style and do my happy dance out the door in the middle of a shift.

Comment #22

dr65 — Fri, 02 May 2014 14:49:10 GMT

wtg winners! The other winner hasn't stepped forward yet. Is that a misplaced or discarded ticket? Or is it someone trying

to figure out how to avoid the media frenzy? I sure wouldn't want my life made public or even any so called friends or family

to know. I have a few people I'd tell and that's it...and that's probably too many.

Comment #21

Bergen — Fri, 02 May 2014 14:11:45 GMT

Congrats to them!!!

Some people get blessed just at the right time.

Comment #20

rock_nc — Fri, 02 May 2014 14:01:51 GMT

My sister lives about 25 minutes from that store! She had purchase some tickets on that day, but not that store! Hope they will spend it wisely

Comment #19

rock_nc — Fri, 02 May 2014 13:59:27 GMT

With that much money! I'd be nowhere to be found

Comment #18

rock_nc — Fri, 02 May 2014 13:58:00 GMT

Comment #17

Goteki54 — Fri, 02 May 2014 13:42:40 GMT

These are the stories I like to hear, people who actually needed the money. Good for them.

Comment #16

Mattapan — Fri, 02 May 2014 13:41:29 GMT

I completely agree, maybe she was caught up in the moment. She needs to think about all the people who would be after that money. Car accident in the parking lot, spilling hot coffee on a co-worker, to much liability for her to keep working.

Comment #15

faber98 — Fri, 02 May 2014 13:29:43 GMT

she won't continue to work. if she has co-workers they will sneer and ridicule her for keeping a job that someone who really needs it could have. she'll tire of being around working stiffs and they will roll their eyes when the paychecks are handed out and she takes it. ludicrous statement by her to say that she will continue to work, but probably just caught up in the euphoria of it all. life is too short to get up and go to work when you have 100 million dollars to play with. imagine taking or... [ More ]

Comment #14

magic 007 — Fri, 02 May 2014 13:01:08 GMT

Despite my state of florida not allowing anonimity, isnt there a way for their attorneys to claim this in their names (attorneys) but regardless it goes to the trust the lucky winners established.

Because as we can see the media is already digging into their records, talking about lost jobs, bankruptcy and who knows what else may come up in the near future. No one wants to deal with all that!!

So my question is , is there a way their attorneys can go around this? (loophole i shd say). I k... [ More ]

Comment #13

IPlayWeekly — Fri, 02 May 2014 12:43:42 GMT

Congrats, this is a great story... I'm leaving my job with a 2 million win

Comment #12

Mattapan — Fri, 02 May 2014 12:38:38 GMT

Why is it that nearly every person who wins a huge jackpot say, I'm going to continue to work ? Is this a required statement to make in public so it would seem you're going to stay grounded? If i take home anything over 5 million, I will never work again! I'll have hobbies but as far as working, nope.

Comment #11

golfer1960 — Fri, 02 May 2014 12:37:13 GMT

I'm not jealous of them, I am happy for them. That is unusual.

Comment #10

hearsetrax — Fri, 02 May 2014 10:30:27 GMT

Comment #9

dallascowboyfan — Fri, 02 May 2014 08:25:06 GMT

congratulation Robyn Raymond

Comment #8

Decadesofv — Fri, 02 May 2014 08:19:46 GMT

Congrats May God continue to Bless and Protect you all I'm claiming my Blessing its Coming lol

Comment #7

Toronto — Fri, 02 May 2014 03:04:54 GMT

Congrats to them

Comment #6

mypiemaster — Fri, 02 May 2014 01:49:34 GMT

Nice looking couple. God bless them.

Comment #5

OldSchoolHits — Fri, 02 May 2014 01:38:02 GMT

I saw that in the news yesterday, too!!! Yeah baby!!! GO IRISH

Comment #4

Marilyn222 — Fri, 02 May 2014 01:37:29 GMT

What a blessings...I'm happy for them.

Comment #3

Artist77 — Fri, 02 May 2014 01:25:47 GMT

And they are going to go to ND football games! My type of people! We are ND! We are ND

Comment #2

ThatScaryChick — Fri, 02 May 2014 01:17:19 GMT

Very cool! Congrats to them on their big win.

Comment #1

maringoman — Fri, 02 May 2014 01:07:41 GMT

Now thats wassup

Florida couple, nearly penniless, claim half of $414M lottery jackpot

Lottery Post — Fri, 02 May 2014 01:05:46 GMT

She had less than $5 cash with her when she filed for bankruptcy two years ago, but Tuesday, a Merritt Island, Florida, woman held a giant novelty check for more than $200 million in lottery winnings.

Federal court documents show Robyn Ann Collier's personal property on April 30, 2012 included $4.73 cash on hand. In February this year, her boyfriend was laid off from his job at a boat-building company, according to their attorney, David Presnick.

But in March, Collier bought a Mega Million... [ More ]