A New Hampshire woman who won a $559.7million Powerball jackpot is likely to get the money soon as her demand to remain anonymous makes its way through the courts.
Judge Charles Temple heard arguments Tuesday from lawyers for the woman and the state.
He didn’t indicate when he would rule.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe, is asking the judge to allow her to remain anonymous despite signing the ticket following the January 6 drawing.
She later learned that she could have shielded her identity by writing the name of a trust.
New Hampshire Lottery Executive Director Charlie McIntyre says the woman should be able to claim her winnings as the dispute plays out and that they have been in discussion about transferring money.
Her lawyers indicated a trust has been set up.
Jane Doe filed a complaint in early January in Hillsborough Superior Court in Nashua saying she signed the back of the ticket following the January 6 drawing.
She then contacted a lawyer and learned that she could have shielded her identity by instead writing the name of a trust.
A New Hampshire woman who won a $559.7million Powerball jackpot is likely to get the money soon as her demand to remain anonymous makes its way through the courts. The above stock image shows a customer holding Powerball tickets
The New Hampshire resident says she made a huge mistake and hasn’t turned in the ticket yet.
State lottery officials say they will proceed in accordance with state law, which says a lottery winner’s name, town and prize amount are public information.
‘While we respect this player’s desire to remain anonymous, state statutes and lottery rules clearly dictate protocols,’ Charlie McIntyre, New Hampshire Lottery Executive Director, said after consulting with the state Attorney General’s office.
Her attorney said she deeply values her privacy and announcing her name could lead to safety issues.
‘She is a longtime resident of New Hampshire and is an engaged community member,’ wrote attorney Steven Gordon from the Shaheen and Gordon law firm.
‘She wishes to continue this work and the freedom to walk into a grocery store or attend public events without being known or targeted as the winner of a half-billion dollars,’ NewHampshire.com reported.
‘She intends to contribute a portion of her winnings to a charitable foundation so that they may do good in the world. She wishes to be a silent witness to these good works, far from the glare and misfortune that has often fallen upon other lottery winners,’ he wrote in court records.
Jane Doe bought the ticket at Reeds Ferry Market in New Hampshire and the owner of the independent convenience store, Sam Safa, has been inundated with excited regulars.
He said he doesn’t know the identity of the winner but hopes one of the regulars from the over 100-year-old store in Merrimack won the nation’s eighth-largest lottery jackpot, Fox News reported.
He said that because he sold the winning ticket the store will receive $75,000.
‘I’m very excited and overwhelmed,’ Safa said.
The winning Powerball numbers drawn on January 6 were 12-29-30-33-61 and Powerball 26.