US Powerball Winner of $560m To Remain Anonymous

A US Powerball winner, identified as Jane Doe, who won a $560m (£403m) jackpot has been allowed to remain anonymous after a legal battle.

The woman, from New Hampshire, had signed her ticket after winning the lottery on 6 January. However, she was later told by lawyers that she could have kept her identity hidden by writing the name of a trust instead.

Lottery’s website detailed this option but the tickets did not. New Hampshire’s lottery rules require the winner’s name, town and the winning amount to be public.

The woman, identified only as Jane Doe, took the New Hampshire Lottery Commission to court in order to remain anonymous.

Judge Charles Temple had to consider the state’s Right To Know law and the woman’s right to “live her life normally”.

The identity of the winner is anonymous but the judge revealed her hometown. The winner is from Merrimack, about 25 miles south of Concord.

Judge Temple said the US Powerball winner  “will be subject to an alarming amount of harassment, solicitation, and other unwanted communications”.

He added that she had proved her privacy outweighed the public’s interest. The jackpot was the nation’s eighth-largest jackpot.

The judge also rejected the lottery commission’s argument that the woman’s identity should be revealed to assure the public she was a “bona fide” lottery participant and “real” winner.

The woman’s lawyer William Shaheen said his client “was jumping up and down”, following the ruling.

“She will be able to live her life normally,” he added.

She has since set up the Good Karma Trust of 2018. The winner intends to give some of her money to charities, including Girls Inc and End 68 Hours of Hunger.

Last week she received just over $264m – her winnings minus taxes. Bear in mind winners get a smaller amount if they opt for a lump sum payment.

Her lawyers said she intends to donate between $25m and $50m to charities during her lifetime.

Charlie McIntyre, the lottery commission’s executive director, said: “While we were expecting a different outcome and believed the state had a strong argument, we respect the court’s decision.

“That said, we will consult with the Attorney General’s office to determine appropriate next steps regarding the case.”

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Check out our previous article on the matter here.