Florida LLC revealed to have claimed $1.6 billion Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Comment #43

Kate — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 17:11:37 GMT

Hi everyone! A little late to the conversation here, but I wanted to clarify the wording based in Miami in the article. The jackpot winner records initially released to the public by the Florida Lottery had Miami, Florida as the city associated with the claimant, Saltines Holdings, LLC, but it did not clarify whether that meant the LLC was incorporated in Miami. We have seen other outlets piece together some information and say that the LLC was incorporated in Delaware, as well as the possibilit... [ More ]

Comment #42

KY Floyd — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 06:17:37 GMT

The Florida Division of Corporations website (Sunbiz.org) shows this info,

Just to be clear, you do know that the company listed is not called Saltines Holdings, right

Comment #41

GiveFive — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 22:47:31 GMT

True enough that wealthy people play the lottery too. I have a relative that drove a delivery truck to deli's and convenience stores. One particular deli was located in an affluent/upscale town located 20 miles north of New York City. He got to know the owner of the deli quite well. My relative saw quite a few signs in the deli announcing some pretty good winning tickets sold at that deli so he asked the owner about it. The owner said It's all those rich so and so's coming in here and buying boa... [ More ]

Comment #40

Artist77 — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 18:30:32 GMT

You might be surprised at the very high income people who play the lottery. Likely not in a regular manner but when it moves into top 10 territory and it is heavily publicized, many buy a ticket. It becomes a sport or competition at that point.

Comment #39

GiveFive — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 16:17:02 GMT

Of course, the above is all conjecture/speculation on my part. I have absolutely no idea of what actually happened.

One thing is for sure though, and that's that the Jacksonville doctor somehow became known to The Florida Lottery. The only way they could have gotten his name and address is if he gave it to them.

Another thing that I've thought about is this - I would think that most doctors aren't inclined to buy lottery tickets. Of course the Jacksonville doctor could be an exception to... [ More ]

Comment #38

GiveFive — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:49:10 GMT

Exactly my thoughts.

If the doctor had a winning ticket of more than $600 that he must redeem at a Florida Lottery office prior to September, then his name and address was saved in The Florida Lottery's database. When The Jackpot Winners and Retailer Information Report was created in September, it's very plausible that his name was placed on the report either by a software program error or it was manually put on the report in error by someone that works at The Fla Lottery. G5

Comment #37

Artist77 — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 14:34:45 GMT

I agree. I think the names were transposed. Maybe the name of the doctor was in the database already for a win over $600.

Comment #36

GiveFive — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 13:16:57 GMT

but according to Florida's official corporate registry there's not a Saltines Holdings (LLC or any other corporate structure) anywhere in Florida

The Florida Division of Corporations website (Sunbiz.org) shows this info,

Detail by Entity Name

Florida Limited Liability Company

SALTINES LLC

Filing Information Document Number L23000539837

FEI/EIN Number NONE

Date Filed 12/05/2023

State FL

Status ACTIVE

Principal Address 7901 4TH ST N

STE 300

ST. PETE... [ More ]

Comment #35

Sasha — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 07:14:31 GMT

But how and where could a person or computer have gotten the name of this alleged ticketholder from when no claiming document would actually have his name?

The winner is the LLC. The entity claiming the win is the LLC. Nowhere on the incorporating documentation does the doctor's name even appear, so where would his name have been showing for someone (or a computer) to even accidentally out him? It doesn't make sense.

He's not the RA, AP or AMBR. For all intents and purposes, he's not th... [ More ]

Comment #34

KY Floyd — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 06:53:32 GMT

The Saltines LLC/Saltines Holdings LLC rats nest is probably there to obscure the FL doctor winner.

Maybe, maybe not. I hadn't looked before, but the official announcement by the FL Lottery says the prize was claimed by Saltines Holdings LLC. This article says they're based in Miami but according to Florida's official corporate registry there's not a Saltines Holdings (LLC or any other corporate structure) anywhere in Florida. The listing you linked to is for Saltines LLC , which lists a Mi... [ More ]

Comment #33

GiveFive — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 23:53:26 GMT

I agree. The Jacksonville doctor is my scientific wild guess.

I worked in data processing for over 30 years and I saw output produced from software programs that I never expected. Most times it was a bug in the code that produced erroneous results. The Florida Lottery software that creates the report could have malfunctioned, or somebody at the Florida Lottery made an honest mistake and entered the doctors name even if he wasn't the actual winner. No telling what happened. G5

Comment #32

Wavepack — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 18:19:21 GMT

LOL at the mug shot guy who posted his info asking for a million dollars.

The Saltines LLC/Saltines Holdings LLC rats nest is probably there to obscure the FL doctor winner.

Comment #31

db101 — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 14:51:27 GMT

If all that is true then I agree. The simplest explanation is that the lottery mistakenly released the name.

Comment #30

Artist77 — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 23:10:48 GMT

I am not sure who the winner may be. The name that was removed could have been a prior winner. You know how when one is typing and a similar name will pop up

Comment #29

PrisonerSix — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 18:55:46 GMT

I checked an Louisiana does not.

Comment #28

GiveFive — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 14:38:29 GMT

As for me, I'm leaning towards the actual winner being the doctor in Jacksonville.

How did his name appear on The Jackpot Winners and Retailer Information Report that the Florida Lottery puts out on their website? Because the Florida Lottery screwed up and accidentally put it on their report. Where did The Florida Lottery get the doctor's name and address? From the doctor himself because he claimed the ticket.

And then the Jacksonville TV station reporters that saw the same report that I... [ More ]

Comment #27

Sasha — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 14:21:23 GMT

If crawled out of the woodwork had a face. LOL

Comment #26

Sasha — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 13:58:49 GMT

I'm not comprehending your thinking in claiming that anything that was done was suspicious.

Would you prefer for a single winner of $1.6 billion just point the press and public to himself?

Would you prefer that he just claim those funds immediately without taking time to:

Wait for the furor to die down Get tax, legal and financial advice Make all the necessary banking, living, security communication arrangements Have a will prepared in the event he dies prior to claiming

Seems t... [ More ]

Comment #25

Sasha — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 13:36:49 GMT

Correction, they did know enough to use a service as the RA. The guy is actually an AMBR which IMO is worse. Why not just get a lawyer to be an AP, because an AP can file docs with the state and not be an actual member of the LLC.

We do not know if he is the winner, but in listing him as an AMBR, we know that he is a member of the LLC which owns these funds and therefore one can assume he has strong ties to the winner. He's a loose thread which didn't have to be there.

Comment #24

Sasha — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 12:59:47 GMT

This is how DIYers tend to trip themselves when forming the LLC. They will either make their names and/or address visible.

This one knew enough to get a DE LLC but not enough to not use a service as the RA for the FL LLC.

Comment #23

winterhug — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 12:17:34 GMT

There is nothing suspicious about winning a prize in one part of a state and claiming it in another part of the state. Waiting is also not suspicious because they wanted to make sure they had everything in order. In most states one's name has to match identically on both the ID and social security card when claiming a prize at lottery headquarters. A lot of people don't realize this until they get to headquarters and have to file paperwork for new ID's and social security cards with matching nam... [ More ]

Comment #22

KY Floyd — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 08:37:49 GMT

What I read was a news report that stated the winner used an LLC registered in Delaware, not Florida.

What a rabbit hole this is. LLCs named Saltines and Saltines Holdings were both registered in DE, a few days apart in late September. Both were registered through Corporation Service Company rather than Northwest Registered Agent, as for the FL LLC. Both companies seem to cater to the DIY crowd, so maybe there isn't an actual lawyer representing the winner. Also, there's at least one more S... [ More ]

Comment #21

Sasha — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 03:02:38 GMT

If a news org somehow got the actual identity of the winner then the winner didn't do this right. Ever since the entity law went into place, many FL jackpot winners have claimed a lottery anonymously.

The only visible names required for a FL LLC are the registered agent and authorized personnel.

They can be the same person/entity, usually a lawyer. Most winners who do this seem to use Kurt Panouses.

The actual owner of the LLC is the winner whose name will appear on the LLC's oper... [ More ]

Comment #20

Artist77 — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 01:29:04 GMT

Should I ever win big and can claim anonymously, I am adding to my checklist the following: I need the name of the lottery official who is responsible for maintaining my anonymity. And I would tell the lottery official, you think I won big now, guess how much money I will be seeking if you breach your anonymity guarantee. Lol

Comment #19

GiveFive — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 01:12:48 GMT

A few months ago I saw the guys name listed on The Jackpot Winners and Retailer Information Report which is available on The Florida Lottery's website. I was absolutely shocked that his name was there. The next day the report was still there but the guy's name had been deleted and it read Exempt per FS 1024

I had already Googled him the day I saw his name. Apparently the TV station Reporters had seen the same report that I had and Googled him as well.

I don't remember the guys name, and... [ More ]

Comment #18

Artist77 — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:54:27 GMT

Sounds like the Florida lottery may be in big trouble for publishing his name. Another interesting issue in terms of a lottery releasing a winner's name when they were not supposed to do so. Why else would they have removed the name otherwise

Comment #17

GiveFive — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:32:09 GMT

I also read that employees of a Jacksonville Florida TV station saw a report that appears on the Florida Lottery's website that actually contained the winners name. (I too saw that report as did MsBee18 but it was quickly taken down). Reporters from the TV station tracked the guy down but he refused to speak with them.

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/duval-county/winner-mega-millions-jackpot-ticket-worth-158-billion-sold-neptune-beach-publix-is-local/FFVWFRFZKRCHJEH6CDEXFDGE3... [ More ]

Comment #16

Artist77 — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 23:23:18 GMT

This is fascinating and big news in terms of using an LLC (in states where it is an option).

So the privacy aspect of the Delaware incorporated LCC superceded the public records aspect of the Florida lottery law. This makes sense since I doubt Florida would challenge this since the majority of businesses in the state are likely incorporated under Delaware law.

I double checked Delaware LLC law and it does not require at any point; even in annual reports and filings, for the true owner to... [ More ]

Comment #15

GiveFive — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:43:40 GMT

Here's different link to a satellite TV station (KIRO 7 in Seattle) that's provides good info about what actually happened.

https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/llc-revealed-winner-record-setting-16b-mega-millions-jackpot/MBRKNXDMLZES5KJVZXTL6DA3D4/

G5

Comment #14

GiveFive — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:36:05 GMT

https://patch.com/florida/jacksonville/group-claims-record-breaking-1-6b-mega-millions-prize-fl-lottery

The link for news article above has in it the following text...

By claiming the prize using a corporation, the Mega Millions winner does not have to reveal their identity, WFLA reported. In Florida, the name of the owner of an LLC is a matter of public record, but the winner of the jackpot filed the LLC in Delaware, a state where the owner of an LLC is not public.

G5

Comment #13

GiveFive — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:25:52 GMT

I wish I could remember where I very recently read this, but unfortunately I cant.

What I read was a news report that stated the winner used an LLC registered in Delaware, not Florida. The reason given for registering in Delaware was stated as Delaware will not release the names of members of an LLC registered in Delaware, but Florida will release the names. ....

So what the LLC in Miami is all about I do not know.

I do recall that it was a Florida TV station's website where the abo... [ More ]

Comment #12

Bleudog101 — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 15:01:16 GMT

Hey, does Louisiana cut separate checks for group members? CA, IN and KY do but don't know about other states.

Comment #11

PrisonerSix — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 14:56:00 GMT

In Louisiana, if an entity is used to claim a prize all those eligible must be on the paperwork as members. Using a LLC gives a layer of privacy, but isn't totally private.

Comment #10

PrisonerSix — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 14:52:00 GMT

Not necessarily. I looked up the address in Miami and it's an office suite that has mail forwarding services. Google the address and you will see what I mean.

I think he's trying to obscure his location to keep away the opportunists. He could be anywhere in the world by now.

Comment #9

Artist77 — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 12:35:03 GMT

Interesting. The registered agent may or may not be the actual winner. If Florida allows one to designate anyone as a registered agent, then 100% anonymity would be possible for wins over a certain amount.

Comment #8

ShagE3 — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 08:09:04 GMT

Congrats to the winner(s) whoever he/she/they are.

I have it on bad authority that the winner is a hot dog afficienado . ... I betcha the winner will splurge and buy grey poupon mustard from now on.

I also hear the winner/s love pierogi with bratwurst every 2nd Thursday of each month.

Hmmm might the winner be of polish descent?

And I hear they feed there dog Alpo ...... I betcha Fido will be served filet mignon or porterhouse from now on.

And the winner is bald but tame and f... [ More ]

Comment #7

Lotterologist — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 07:31:24 GMT

Congrats

Comment #6

MsBee18 — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 07:05:35 GMT

Won in Neptune Beach but claimed by a LLC in Miami? If that ain't suspicious. One week before the cash deadline. Would the trustee be Eddie Lipton by chance? Should be required to do a press conference like other states for transparency.

Comment #5

PrisonerSix — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 02:49:04 GMT

Glad they got their money. LLCs provide some level of privacy. Hopefully they've gotten out of town before anyone figures out who they are!

Powerball is starting to get up there at $700million. Maybe there will be a big winner New Year's Day.

Comment #4

Wavepack — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 02:48:02 GMT

According to online public records,

https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=EntityName directionType=Initial searchNameOrder=SALTINES%20L230005398370 aggregateId=flal-l23000539837-4ee54e73-628d-43c3-ba93-14251a13c78e searchTerm=Saltines%20LLC listNameOrder=SALTINES%20L230005398370

it looks to be ALBERTO GUGLIELMI

Comment #3

Artist77 — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 00:58:22 GMT

So the state lottery is only releasing the trust name and not the name of the winner? If so, we need to add that option to the state anonymity list. Wins over 250k that are claimed via a trust will not have the winner's name released (unless there is a public records request

Comment #2

Bleudog101 — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 23:53:03 GMT

my curiosity is always where the ticket was purchased and how old the person is. Other than that IDC.

Todd/Kate----waiting for your listing of the $700 Powerball drawing tonight. Always enjoy those articles secondary to feel good stories

Comment #1

hearsetrax — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 23:39:37 GMT

Florida LLC revealed to have claimed $1.6 billion Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Lottery Post — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 23:36:04 GMT

Temporary anonymity period is up

By Kate Northrop

The winner of the $1.6 billion Mega Millions lottery jackpot has been revealed following the 90-day grace period of anonymity given to lottery winners in Florida.

The winner of the third-largest lottery jackpot in history, a $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot drawn on Tues., Aug. 8, 2023, was won by a single ticket in Florida. Whoever claimed it had 90 days of anonymity before the Florida Lottery would release their name.

Today, t... [ More ]