Right to privacy?

[Alan S]

Here's the story. A person or group has the winning ticket for $14 million. They form a trust and hire an attorney to collect the money. The lottery company tells the lawyer the law states you must collect the money in person for publicity purposes. The lawyer tells his client(s). They tell the lottery company to pound sand. They would rather remain anonymous than have the money. Then you read this:

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Now, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and attorney general's office have issued a joint statement saying they have opened an investigation into the case.</td></tr></table>

Now it doesn't state WHY they are investigating. No laws were broken. They didn't except the money. So why and what are they investigating?

Here's the link

[RoadrashPaul]

What are those people hiding that they didn't want to be on TV for 30 seconds to receive $14mil ??

[Alan S]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by RoadrashPaul &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">What are those people hiding that they didn't want to be on TV for 30 seconds to receive $14mil ??</td></tr></table>

I don't blame them one bit. When you win a lottery, the vultures come out of the wood work.

[Lockon]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by RoadrashPaul &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">What are those people hiding that they didn't want to be on TV for 30 seconds to receive $14mil ??</td></tr></table>

Witness Protection Program??

[RoadrashPaul]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Alan S &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

I don't blame them one bit. When you win a lottery, the vultures come out of the wood work. </td></tr></table>

You just have to learn the word NO, Alan Hell, they can donate it to me and I will deal with the vultures with a smile on my face

[Walkabout7781]

I read the article on Yahoo! about this story, before this thread was started here.

There are some questions that the lottery organization needs to ask, to be sure that the winner is of legal age, and not an employee of the lottery organization, among others. The guy who was the agent for the group (in Belize?) has had some shady sounding dealings, and he arranged a law firm to represent the group's interest. It's an interesting story, and I really don't know what to think about it, but I sure would like that $14 mil!!! I don't buy lottery tickets, 'cause bass boats are a much better investment.

[R.D.]

Alan,

I read the Entire Ordeal today (on another website).......I think they are investigating because it seems fishy that a guy who had supposedly won through a "Trust fund" set up by a Representative of it.....yet the person in question cannot be contacted and is supposed to be residing elsewhere........

[ol man river]

I would be happy to accept the money and deliver it to them in total secrecy...for a nominal fee, of course....

[Al from Canada]

Has to be something fishy when a person or group doesn't want to collect $14M because they have to do it in person. I would expect all lotteries have that rule that they have the right to publicly present the money.

[JoshKeller]

the iowa govt probably expects them to pay taxes on it, whether they collect it or not.

[Mark Perry]

I thought most state lotteries make it known on the tickets that the state gets to use your likeness in publicity when you redeem the ticket?

[Alan S]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Al from Canada &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Has to be something fishy when a person or group doesn't want to collect $14M because they have to do it in person. I would expect all lotteries have that rule that they have the right to publicly present the money. </td></tr></table>

The rule has only been implemented in the last few years. When the lotteries were first started, just about everyone started a corporation and had a lawyer collect the winnings for them. For a fee, of course. That's why they had to enact the rule.

[yanknbass]

I heard they think the ticket was stolen from the person who purchased it.

[cowtrimmer]

Its just a way for a group of attorneys to take a rule and squeeze the debate out of it until it ends up in a higher court. It doesn't matter if its the lottery for 14 mill or if its a free can of dog with with a rider on it with 'strings attached' of a personal appearance. They want the law to be changed period and this is the vehicle they are using to do it with.

[cowtrimmer]

enlighten me on how things get changed then in a court of law unless a group of attorneys proceeds to take the matter into court ? .....jus sayn

[cowtrimmer]

Not a broad brush at all. All you have to do is read the article that Alan posted/linked to and its about as clear as muddy water. there are already enough litigators involved that I'm sure the winnings would be in the single digits if it was "legally' claimed by now. Of course that's not good enough for another group of attorneys,namely the "Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and attorney general's office" so they will extract some more money from the system. meanwhile I would lay odds that either they will file charges or this other guy representing the group from Belize will file a counter suit. etc etc etc............no broad stroked here at all. But you go ahead and hold up that 'attorneys aren't in it for the money" banner all day if you want. BTW...........in my humble opinion I'm sorry I don't use the grammar that you want me to so there you go

[Beast]

I have a Question, can one collect in person, and have his identity keep confidential and away from all forms of media?