Posted on 12/28/2010 6:19:01 PM PST by Lmo56
Jeanette French wasn't at the Golf Shop the day her co-workers hit the jackpot, winning $16 million in the Florida lottery.
For nine years, French, 72, has been part of the group of employees at the Villages' Hacienda Hills Country Club that pools money each week to buy lottery tickets, each putting in a dollar.
In the past, when group members were unavailable to put their dollar in the pot, a fellow member would spot them, her lawyer, Tom Culmo, told ABC News.
Culmo said that was the case with his client.
"She had communication with one of the other employees who said he would put in a dollar for her," he said. "Employees would routinely cover for each other. She paid back the dollar Thursday morning, and she was given the ticket to check to see if they had won.
"After she realized the group won, she gave back the ticket. She wasn't worried if she handed back the ticket she wouldn't be part of the group," Culmo said.
But the group refused to split the winnings with her, claiming that French did not contribute to the pot. French has filed a lawsuit against them.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
It would have been cheaper just to split the winnings with her, now they are going to lose it all because of their greed.
lottery winnings bring out the best in people...... sarc
9 years of friendship gone in an instant over money most of them won’t live long enough to enjoy.
The Villages is the STD capital of the senior world. Lots of strange stuff goes on up there. Nothing would surprise me.
The love of money is the root of all evil.
And these people deserve to have their winnings taken by the lawyers.
Sad, isn't it? I've seen family members never speak to one another again.....over a lot less. It never ceases to amaze me.
1) It appears there was no written contract. An oral agreement isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.
2) This loose collection of contributors also had a loose agreement that included funding other people in the group.
3) There was a regular history of casual interpersonal loans on top of the casual contract agreement.
4) An apparent request to fund this woman was not fulfilled, but if a long trend exists that this woman was contributing each week, then they should include her in. The alternative is they split out a minimum of 60% with the lawyers.
I think she has a case - she paid her dollar the next day, which they accepted and they gave her the ticket to check to see if it won ...
Plus, this had been an on-going routine for many years [spotting money] ...
A family member of mine recently won what seemed to be a nice little sum in a lottery. Not millions, but not bad. I knew that taxes had to be paid, of course, but was truly shocked to find out exactly how much is going to come out in taxes.
The individual will get maybe 40% of the "jackpot" when all is said and done. (This is according to the accountant who was consulted). I said, shoot, the state might as well have just sent a Wal-Mart gift card and been done with it.
If split seven ways, each group member would receive $1.3 million before taxes. If French is included, each member would receive $1.1 million.
Greed, how sad it happens even within a group like that.
There will be 10 lawyers fighting this case for the next 10 years.
I think if I were one of the other people, I could not in good conscience leave her out. That’s just me, of course.
If the 7 people dumping on her divide the cash payout it comes to $1.37 million, or $891K each.
That isn't enough of a windfall to make me stab a long time friend in the back. Especially, considering the long standing arrangement of payback. If I were the judge, I'd be tempted to award some "pain and suffering". I hope the names of her turncoat friends are being widely publicized at the Villages.
My guess is it will come down to how many tickets they purchased. If only seven were purchased, it would appear she was not part of the combine. On the other hand if 8 were bought, then it seems pretty clear they intended for her to be a part of the group.
Here’s some info on lottery winnings:
— — —
Are lottery prizes taxable?
Yes, Lottery winnings of $600.01 and over are subject to Federal Withholding tax. For winnings of $600.01, up to and including $5,000, you will be issued a W-2G form to report your winnings on your federal income tax form. For winnings of $5,000.01 and over, your state’s Department of Revenue removes the 25 percent federal withholding before you receive your winnings check (or, if it is an annuity, from each winnings check). You then receive a W-2G form with each check to submit with your 1040 form to show that the 25 percent federal withholding already has been paid. In addition to federal tax, your state will make additional withholdings for taxes, and most states will deduct other money that you may owe to the state, such as back taxes, child support, loan payments, etc.
Yes and by the time the lawyers’ fees are paid, each will receive a lot less than $1.1 million.
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Sick creeps
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I hope they lose it all to lawyers. Greedy bastards. If the same people pitch in for nine freaking years and even if this woman didn’t put in that one, they should include her. I would have fought for it. It’s all a gift from God, and they just screwed it up. A pox on their houses.
I agree, to leave her out that one time and then fight it is sick.
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