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Powerball Winner Says He's Cursed
ABC News via AOL News ^ | April 7, 2007 | MARTIN BASHIR and SARA HOLMBERG

Posted on 04/08/2007 6:25:41 AM PDT by rightwingintelligentsia

On Christmas morning in 2002, Jack Whittaker woke up to perhaps the biggest gift imaginable. Whittaker had won the Powerball lottery jackpot -- a whopping $315 million.

"I got sick at my stomach, and I just was [at] a loss for words and advice," Whittaker said. "You know, I was really searching for advice, and it's, like, Christmas Day."

It was a made-for-TV Christmas story, and Whittaker's hardworking family became celebrities overnight. Whittaker's wife, Jewel, and their granddaughter Brandi Bragg would appear on no fewer than eight television shows. But as Whittaker celebrated his good fortune, he had no way of knowing that he was embarking on a journey that would lead to tragedy and the loss of everything he held dear.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.aol.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: lottery; powerball
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

After winning a lottery, your first line of business after jumping up and down like an idiot is to contact a lawyer asap. A good one. Dont reveal your name and only work through the power of attorney.

I would then diversify my money through multiple banks and live off the interest only. Set up trust funds but never telling the kids of them until they become adults. Treat your life just as you did previously and keep yourself busy. Idle hands lead to ugly work.

Most of my donations would be done anonymously. I would like to do things spontaneously to people I find deserve it.

I also wouldnt quit my job because I like it so much.


21 posted on 04/08/2007 7:12:31 AM PDT by smith288 (Ohio State, close to being 2007 NCAA Champs)
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Comment #22 Removed by Moderator

To: mainepatsfan
If I ever win a jackpot like that I’ll disappear completely by getting a show on MSNBC.

Yeah. Like....whathisname. Yeah!

DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING!

NO more calls, please.

We have a winner!

23 posted on 04/08/2007 7:35:28 AM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: BigCinBigD
“If you are found here at night. You will be found here in the morning”.

Also useful by the fathers of teenage daughters.

Cheers!

24 posted on 04/08/2007 7:37:22 AM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity

When you get that kind of money, you don’t instantly have all your problems solved. You just trade them in for different problems.

Wasn’t there an article on FR this past week concerning these type of lotto winners?
99% of the large winners ended in hard ship worse then their previous life style.


25 posted on 04/08/2007 7:38:01 AM PDT by buck61
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
The only “advice” a powerball winner needs is to take advantage of the fact you can claim the prize anonymously via a trust or similar legal structure. Your family's safety and security is most important and will only be comprimised by fame. Spend the money slowly and wisely and quietly.
26 posted on 04/08/2007 7:42:03 AM PDT by G Larry (Only strict constructionists on the Supreme Court!)
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To: SLB
I’ll buy maybe two a year when the Powerball jackpot gets really high. The folks that get into real trouble are the ones addicted to the scratch tickets. I was at a convenience store the other day and the guy in front of me bought about $50 dollars worth.
27 posted on 04/08/2007 7:42:16 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: MarkL

Which explains why congress acts the way it does with our money.


28 posted on 04/08/2007 7:45:31 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

Lotteries are a tax on the gullible.

I win the lottery every week. The dollar I don’t flush down that toilet is available for investing or spending.


29 posted on 04/08/2007 7:46:07 AM PDT by Proud2BeRight
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To: BigCinBigD

Agreed. I’d find a beautiful spot in a isolated area.


30 posted on 04/08/2007 7:46:52 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: rightwingintelligentsia; patton
Whittaker believes that money isn't what makes people happy, family is.

it's too bad this belief came too late for him and his family
31 posted on 04/08/2007 7:48:56 AM PDT by leda (19yrs ... only 4,981yrs to go ;))
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To: mainepatsfan

lol


32 posted on 04/08/2007 7:50:17 AM PDT by woofie
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To: mainepatsfan

“I’d find a beautiful spot in a isolated area.”
Yup. The only things I would need to make me happy would be esay access to a super Wal*Mart and a Sonic drive in. :)


33 posted on 04/08/2007 7:50:18 AM PDT by BigCinBigD (You "abort" bad missile launches and carrier landings. Not babies.)
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To: Baynative

LOL


34 posted on 04/08/2007 7:51:54 AM PDT by NonValueAdded (Prevent Glo-Ball Warming ... turn out the sun when not in use)
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To: BigCinBigD

*easy*


35 posted on 04/08/2007 7:51:58 AM PDT by BigCinBigD (You "abort" bad missile launches and carrier landings. Not babies.)
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To: BigCinBigD
I’d go into town for supplies maybe every two months. Actually the way some people shop at WalMart I think I wouldn’t be only the one.
36 posted on 04/08/2007 7:53:20 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: mainepatsfan
The Internet, satellite TV and a loaded shotgun. Man that would be nice.
37 posted on 04/08/2007 7:55:38 AM PDT by BigCinBigD (You "abort" bad missile launches and carrier landings. Not babies.)
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To: BigCinBigD
I’d need a winter place as well. Nothing much...just a place near Fort Myers, FL so I could scream at the Red Sox every spring training.
38 posted on 04/08/2007 7:58:44 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: smith288

After winning a lottery, your first line of business after jumping up and down like an idiot is to contact a lawyer asap. A good one. Don’t reveal your name and only work through the power of attorney.

I would then diversify my money through multiple banks and live off the interest only. Set up trust funds but never telling the kids of them until they become adults. Treat your life just as you did previously and keep yourself busy. Idle hands lead to ugly work.

Most of my donations would be done anonymously. I would like to do things spontaneously to people I find deserve it.

I also wouldn’t quit my job because I like it so much.

And, I believe you would do as you describe.
Too bad this poor fellow couldn’t possess some of your intelligence!
When people are raised as poor as Jack has described, they just aren’t able to handle large sums of money.

Unfortunately I have one grand son, and his father is destroying him by buying him expensive, everything. I have begged my daughter to put a stop to it , she says she has no control over my son in law. I have explained, at age 63 I have witnessed many children destroyed by this extravagance
spent on children.
He is 15 and, a very bright child. In school he seldom get anything lower then A’s in his studies.
His dad says, he didn’t have anything while growing up with an alcoholic father and, his child wouldn’t have to live like he did.


39 posted on 04/08/2007 8:07:28 AM PDT by buck61
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

It’s not surprising that a simple, undeducated man, who pulled himself out of poverty by sheer work ethic was unable to handle unearned wealth.

He did make sincere efforts at philanthropy and generosity to church and charities.

But reckless spending on his immature, underage undisciplined grandchild was the cause of his family’s destruction.

There will be more of these tragedies.


40 posted on 04/08/2007 8:28:17 AM PDT by sodpoodle ( Carmen Sainz - is your friend!)
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