Florida couple claims share of historic $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot

Comment #80

music* — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 23:23:47 GMT

Thank You MaximumMillions. I will reconsider my options. Do not do the grip and grin photo. Do not do the press interview. But I will give the press a written statement detailing my LP membership and USAmega.

Of course, when my family finds out then all hell will break loose. I plan on contacting them on Sunday before I claim.

Good Luck to LP members and staff. Let us make another record breaking PB jackpot.

Comment #79

MaximumMillions — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 20:16:31 GMT

And then you get family coming out of the wood until the end of time.

Comment #78

music* — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 20:00:11 GMT

When I win then I will just say, Family about who will receive my generosity. That is exactly what Julie Leach did recently in her press conference. Julie Leach $140,000,000.00 Michigan Power Ball winner. She is in LP's search box.

Comment #77

lottobrain — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 13:51:24 GMT

Delaware changed the law in 2009 and does NOW tax lottery winnings. One can still remain anonymous though.

Comment #76

DELotteryPlyr — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 10:12:14 GMT

Well said!!

I never understand why those who run and operate your average charity are also HIGHLY paid?

Google WORST CHARITIES and look at how many give nothing to the charity. Recently Wounded Warriors was in the news, their staff was blowing in the CEO for the waste of money on events for the employees.

Comment #75

ieatdirt — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 04:51:00 GMT

Wyoming

Comment #74

dpoly1 — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 15:06:57 GMT

The smart people claim the jackpot and THEN put their money in a Trust of Family LLC!

That way your info is not revealed

Comment #73

Dreaming Gemini — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 14:30:48 GMT

CONGRATS to the winners! That's awesome that the ticket was a self pick of numbers she has been playing on and off for 30 years. Reminds me of some loser player I know... cough cough. No way would I be doing a press conference if I did not have to.

And yes, she does look great for 70. I bet she was a knock out in her mid thirties back in 1980. Maybe it was him robbing the cradle at the time.

Comment #72

Albeone — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 21:50:04 GMT

For income over $60,000 it's 6.6%. Non-residents are taxed only on their Delaware sourced income, including winnings from the Delaware Lottery.

Comment #71

haymaker — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 20:58:08 GMT

Do you happen to know what Delaware's rate is or how they tax you if you're out of state

Comment #70

Saylorgirl — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 19:01:08 GMT

Did you forget Marie Holmes and Hot Sauce so quickly? She is only 27

Comment #69

Albeone — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 18:49:41 GMT

Delaware only withholds the required 25% for Federal tax. You pay the Delaware state income taxes on your winnings when you file an income tax return the following year.

For the states that do not tax lottery winnings, I believe only Texas and New Hampshire have allowed winners to claim anonymously through a trust.

Comment #68

OneTrickpony — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 16:27:51 GMT

I think the only state that allows you to remain anonymous AND does not tax your winnings is Delaware. Lucky ducks.

Comment #67

music* — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 15:45:15 GMT

I second the thanks to Todd.

These winners are retirement age. So this planning comes naturally. They took their time. Watched the local news and saw a local house surrounded by the media and public. They kept it secret.

Comment #66

joshuacloak — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 15:38:41 GMT

Thanks, Todd.

These winners appear very nice and bright.

Good for them.

Comment #65

canyon — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 15:13:10 GMT

I don't know what's going on with these lawyers lately but I know from most previous large jackpot winners it was recommended to claim thru a trust and not to go public! That's regardless if the public gets your trust info or not; they won't have your picture! That is critical for security! See the Georgia lottery winner that was killed about 1-2 months ago! If people don't know what to do, you may want to check out thelotterylawyer.com I don't know if this is the best person or not but he does... [ More ]

Comment #64

mypiemaster — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 13:26:28 GMT

Only one way to find out. Sue them and then tell us how you wasted your time and money.

Comment #63

savagegoose — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 13:18:13 GMT

oldies have all the min wage jobs now.

Comment #62

jjtheprince — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 13:15:03 GMT

I wonder if anyone could ever successfully file an age discrimination lawsuit against the lottery? Hardly anyone under 50 wins. Why is that

Comment #61

majestic1070 — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 11:48:27 GMT

Atleast they waited a month and got financial advice but I probably would have waited longer. I think the press would have been less interested in old news.

Comment #60

Suzy-Dittlenose — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 05:12:43 GMT

The CA winner has 12 months from the date of the draw to come forward; then two months to decide on lump sum or yearly installments once the ticket has been validated. Hopefully this CA winner will have better results than the TN or FL winners when it comes to the media.

Comment #59

Albeone — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 03:04:02 GMT

I play in Texas. I know my name will become public when I win.

I believe there are several instances where Lottery winners in Texas were able to remain anonymous by claiming their winnings through a trust.

Comment #58

myturn — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 01:24:09 GMT

Can Lottery winners remain anonymous?

No. Florida Lottery winners cannot remain anonymous. Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide the winner's name, city of residence, game won, date won and amount won to any third party who requests the information; however Florida Lottery winners' home addresses and telephone numbers are confidential.

Florida Lottery FAQs

Comment #57

bobby623 — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 01:23:01 GMT

Lottery gamblers expecting to win a significant prize should investigate and know what to expect should they actually win in the state where they play.

If you win in Florida the rules are clear - your identity will be released to the public.

Folks who can't handle that shouldn't buy lottery tickets.

Face it - a billion dollar lottery jackpot is NEWS.

Every news outlet worth its charter is going to take advantage of the law.

Every editor has a duty to gather the facts and present t... [ More ]

Comment #56

MsLottery — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 00:57:32 GMT

She looks great for 70 years. I wish them the best. Now we just have to wait for the California winner(s) to come forward.

Comment #55

lejardin — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 22:46:50 GMT

Thanks Todd. Nice video and the winners seem very nice and down to earth. Two days for the money to get into their account, I would be like that young man that won the lottery years ago, calling the bank over and over to hear the balance

Comment #54

zephbe — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 22:08:06 GMT

Congrats to the winners. Enjoy

Comment #53

Todd — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 21:38:20 GMT

I have updated the news story with complete raw footage of the press conference.

Comment #52

music* — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 20:29:46 GMT

It is called a Perp walk with handcuffs on.

I will definitely mention Todd Northrop and Lottery Post plus USAMEGA. Then give the world my handle, music*.

Do not forget all the photos of you. International crime syndicates will put you on their list.

It is not the hood rats you need to worry about it is the suit and tie criminals. They will try to get your signature on financial papers.

If you win the record breaker jackpot then your name and photo will be brought back up every

Comment #51

KY Floyd — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 17:24:56 GMT

But the press was alerted to her presence in the building.

Maybe that's exactly why they decided to do a press conference. If you get ambushed on your way out the door you get your picture in the news, and you look a bit like a criminal defendant walking out of the police station/jail/the courthouse. With the press conference you've at least got a bit of control and get to say what you want to say.

Comment #50

Groppo — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 17:14:52 GMT

Yes, it's what I've been suggesting for a while.

Though my own pet numbers are not spaced out widely enough, I don't think.

But hey, any 5 + 1 combination can be the winner, right

Comment #49

Bleudog101 — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 16:03:18 GMT

Wasn't a quick pick, said she played the numbers for some time.

Comment #48

Groppo — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 15:26:48 GMT

Yes, she looks amazing for 70. I guess a lot of those Florida women look good.

Now, even though I'm a man, I would not want to be photo'd for the world to see.

I'm not in shape or anything. Even the old guy, in Massachusetts looks better than I do.

So, what I have to do is start exercising, and stuff like that.

(groppo? you? exercise? that'll be the day

Comment #47

Groppo — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 15:04:03 GMT

Please know that most of the numbers I play are self pick.

I must say, though, that even though every drawing makes me feel like a not a winner , I feel I have

done the right thing because I've checked my numbers for previous lotto wins, which has never happened.

I sure hope it happens. Just prize #2, not the jackpot.

Comment #46

Groppo — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:57:51 GMT

Yeah, like on that show Rawhide, with Rowdy Bates.

Ride 'em in, move 'em out Raw H - i - d e ! Yeah !

And yes, kind of defeats the purpose. But, not really. In this case, you collect, and move out of that area. Like cattle, or something.

Comment #45

Tony Numbers — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:18:34 GMT

Be careful or the dark Knight (bottle washer) hell come after you.

Comment #44

LOTTOKING2016 — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 13:35:37 GMT

So a self pick winning amazing

Comment #43

jacintasc — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 12:30:16 GMT

What Florida Lottery did to Gloria was very wrong.

Gloria just showed up by surprise. She declined press.

However, the Florida Lotto called the press and probably stalled Gloria for a while.

And now they have footage of her running to her car trying to get away.

Comment #42

Bleudog101 — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 12:00:30 GMT

Thanks for the laugh to warm me up after walking 2.7 miles with the pooch in cold azz Kentucky.

Comment #41

music* — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 11:55:27 GMT

I thought they would be buying professional advice. Such as, They did not have to do a press conference. Gloria MacKenzie, the $599.5 million winner from Zephyr Hills, Florida did not do a press conference. But the press was alerted to her presence in the building.

Winning a major jackpot would make me nervous. It is a big change from everyday life.

God bless the both of them, their family, and their friends.

Comment #40

JezzVim — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 10:23:38 GMT

WoW!!! You guys are mean here!! They are a MARRIED couple!

I wish them well and hope the money brings them much joy.

I see that they set up a trust, wise.

Comment #39

savagegoose — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 06:38:47 GMT

he works for northrop gruman and has been improving their security! I bet he has some pretty swish security installed now.

Comment #38

RedStang — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 06:22:21 GMT

That was nice of him to bring his mom.

Comment #37

ohiopick3 — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 03:36:51 GMT

Makes you wonder. The Tennessee people claimed they only bought 4 tickets.

In this thread they say:

Keeping the secret was not easy. The first day after the win David arrived late for work, prompting employees to ask him if he was the winner. He told them he didn't purchase a ticket. (He didn't lie, because Maureen was the one who bought it.)

Is the it being only one ticket they purchased?

The rest of us must be crazy buying more than 4 tickets then? If that's all it takes to get e... [ More ]

Comment #36

sookie — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 03:08:02 GMT

Congrats to them

Comment #35

noise-gate — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 02:20:09 GMT

Congratulations to the happy couple. Maureen looks pretty good for 70. Probably a dancer in her youth, 110 lbs soaking wet a multi millionaire to boot. You go girl.

Comment #34

Candy-Lane — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 01:50:40 GMT

Congrats Maureen and David

Comment #33

Tony Numbers — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 01:32:25 GMT

Why does every lottery winner say they are going to give a cut of their winnings to charity? It's ad if they are now obligated to give due to their good fortune. Do a little checking and you'll find that a very small percentage of the money actually goes to the intended cause. That's why the charities are not called Paint the CEO's house, or Buy the CEO a new mercedes.

Comment #32

Artist77 — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 01:29:46 GMT

Hopefully they have more sense that the Tennessee couple. She looks great for 70.

Comment #31

tnlottodreamer — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:53:10 GMT

Whoa she looks good to be 70 years old. Congrats to the couple

Comment #30

sully16 — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:41:52 GMT

Congrats David and Maureen.

Comment #29

dallascowboyfan — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:10:41 GMT

Congratulations

Comment #28

edmunddantes13 — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:02:20 GMT

There can't be anonymous ways to claim winnings due to the past corruption in lotteries.

Even with non-anonymous there still is some corruption, but it is at least a little easier to ferret out.

Classic - Hot Lotto is most recent example.

McDonald's Monopoly, at one point, was another where all the big winners were friend's or relatives of people involved with the game.

Plus if you go back even further, there are tons of stories.

Edit - not lots... stay away from hyperb... [ More ]

Comment #27

edmunddantes13 — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:00:09 GMT

No. Bare minimum varies depending on the state. So stop acting all tough and knowledgeable about how they were idiots when you don't even understand the basics of what you say they screwed up.

Comment #26

OneTrickpony — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:52:27 GMT

Firstly, congratulations to the winners!

Secondly, these people look a little spooked about revealing their identities. I don't know why there cannot be an anonymous way to collect your winnings in EVERY State. As long as your win is confirmed by three separate lottery officials (or whomever) and an independent auditor, you shouldn't have to reveal your identity. I understand the lottery wanting to promote their transparency and the lottery itself, but c'mon...at the possible risk of the winn... [ More ]

Comment #25

Seattlejohn — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:45:23 GMT

I stand corrected. As I understand it, how it works is the bare bones minimum the lottery commission is required by law to do is have available the winners name city for anyone who requests it. That's it. These people chose to court publicity do the press conference... thus ensuring anything bad that could happen to them has a much better chance of happening to them. Sad. Well, in the positive, at least they're not using it to bail out a drug selling relative/friend for the 4th time... as far as... [ More ]

Comment #24

VenomV12 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:38:31 GMT

Hold the check over your face, give yourself a fighting chance.

Maybe they took so long to come forward because she was recovering from her Dolly Parton level of plastic surgery.

Comment #23

xstreamgaming15 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:34:29 GMT

Congrats to the Florida couple on winning part of the 1.6 billion Powerball. They should not be naive about their good fortune since winning the lottery has had its share of good and bad windfall. Now that their names are public the husband should grow a beard the wife dye her hair, change they're names and move out.

Comment #22

TheGameGrl — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:24:53 GMT

One can hold their breath for only so long, this concept that anonimity equates to safety and security is silly. People are at risk everyday.

At some point the truth comes out, best to build your portfolio and secure the home ( which they did) . A trust is the way to go to keep the funds in the family. Congrats and may this opportunity fulfill their community outreach programs.

Comment #21

Dd2160 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:01:25 GMT

Sweet Jesus must be nice.. Congrats on to them

Comment #20

cbr$ — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 22:55:33 GMT

Congratulation to this Florida couple on their Power Ball Jackpot win. If this couple are out going people . They now have to be careful about other people they socialize with. This lady looks great for 70 years old.

Comment #19

jacintasc — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 22:51:05 GMT

I'm sorry, but you are partially incorrect.

Florida is a Public access for information State Law state which applies to everything you can imagine.

There is no way to hide this in Florida.

The only part that I guess they did wrong was do a press conference, which is not part of State Law.

The Florida Lottery arranged the press conference, all the winners had to do was say no .

Comment #18

kandi49 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 22:47:42 GMT

to these 2 they did not give up nor give in and end the end the win now that what i call marriage congrats. one thing i will said give to a needy church i know god will be please with that cause i say one i will be in you'll shoes . just got to wait shine on u guys and to the wife i would to know how u keep your self so young looking wow

Comment #17

ressuccess — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 22:43:53 GMT

Way to go. I knew they took the cash value option.

Comment #16

sweetie7398 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 22:34:07 GMT

Congratulations

Comment #15

Seattlejohn — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:46:34 GMT

Jeebus... more lottery winners making bad decisions. These guys aren't as bad as the 1st announced winners who did the press conference based on the advice of their 2 bit, 3rd rate ambulance chasing lawyer in a cheap suit... but they're not far behind.

Dear lottery winners: the big advantage of claiming the money in a trust (I'm assuming it's a blind trust) is to avoid publicity. If you were planning to reveal your identities, you shouldn't have bothered to put it in a trust in the first p... [ More ]

Comment #14

mypiemaster — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:46:31 GMT

I get all that. But the article clearly stated, Their biggest concern is security, now that their identities are revealed . Apparently they did not want their identities revealed, but rules are rules. So Florida lottery decided to screw them just for cheap publicity, like they really need it. SMH.

Comment #13

mypiemaster — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:30:54 GMT

Sure I get that, but if you are willing to expose yourself to the masses, why wait all this time to form a trust, why not just claim the next day, like the country-boy lawyer and his clients who went on national TV and then form a trust?.

Comment #12

TheMeatman2005 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:27:53 GMT

Claiming via a trust or LLC is more for legal reasons.

If you are (G-D forbid) in an accident, the other person can sue you for every penny you have. If you have an LLC it is an entity on its own and protects your assets.

It takes a few weeks to form a trust / LLC.

Comment #11

LottoLucy — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:27:02 GMT

I have read a lot of information from various lotteries on winning a large jackpot and one thing they all say, even when a press conference is optional, is to do the press conference. Supposedly it will get it all over with and the press will leave you alone. Now, I don't really believe that and think it is pretty self serving advice from the lottery but I imagine to some people it might make sense when presented like that.

Comment #10

LottoLucy — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:23:20 GMT

Even if a trust can't keep you anonymous there are other reasons to claim it that way. It might be a prudent move for estate planning.

Comment #9

lejardin — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:15:10 GMT

Thank you for the info. I was not aware the trustees are listed and all info has public access. I still would never go to the press conference.

Anyway good luck to the winners. Hope they find security and some sort of privacy.

Comment #8

jacintasc — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:09:44 GMT

The press conference is optional.

But in Florida, they post the trustees of the trust no matter what. It is public record and open to public access, unfortunately.

Again, only the press conference part was optional.

Comment #7

Saylorgirl — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:04:50 GMT

Congratulations David and Maureen!! May you enjoy your newfound wealth

Comment #6

lejardin — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:04:30 GMT

Did they use the same lawyer from Tennessee? Let's go public to control the interest lol.

Why go to a claiming conference if you took the time to set up a trust?

Oh and let me be the first to admit to jackpot envy.

Comment #5

HoLeeKau — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 20:55:54 GMT

I don't get why they went public. They obviously know the risks and are concerned about their security. What in the world would make them wait this long to claim under a trust, then do the press conference? Is this something Florida requires

Comment #4

Todd — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 20:36:14 GMT

Check the second word in the story.

Comment #3

Stack47 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 20:31:28 GMT

The second piece of the puzzle is in and while we're waiting for the third, we can sit back and read some negative criticism the LP members suffering from jackpot envy.

Comment #2

destinycreation — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 20:28:51 GMT

From a distance in the picture, this lady looks good to be 70 years old [He is 55]. Wonder if they are married to each other, or related, or not ??

Florida is a Cougar State.

Comment #1

mypiemaster — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 20:12:53 GMT

Way to go. Does it really matter anymore, to claim via a trust in Florida when those knuckleheads are going to splash your name and pictures and the name of your trust all over the the world and parade you like cattle?. Kind of defeats the purpose!!!.

Florida couple claims share of historic $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot

Lottery Post — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 20:05:52 GMT

Includes video report

By Todd Northrop

A married couple from Melbourne Beach, Florida, have claimed their one-third share of the world's biggest lottery jackpot of all time.

Although the prize money was claimed under a trust, the winners identified themselves in a press conference Wednesday afternoon as David Kaltschmidt, 55, and Maureen Smith, 70.

The winners, originally from Long Island, New York, have been residents of Melbourne Beach since 1991. They have no immediate plans to mo... [ More ]