Right. Sudden money doesn't change one's character -- it reveals it.
Posted on 12/13/2004 11:20:55 AM PST by LouAvul
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The world's first glimpse of Jack Whittaker, winner of the richest undivided lottery jackpot in U.S. history, was of a boisterous, happy-go-lucky guy in a big cowboy hat who loved his family, work and God and promised to share his good fortune with the church and the poor.
Two years later, the picture the public is seeing now is a mug shot of a haggard, somber Whittaker.
Whittaker, 57, has been arrested twice for drunken driving in the past year and has been ordered to go into rehab by Jan. 2 for a 28-day stay. He also faces charges he attacked a bar manager, and is accused in two lawsuits of making trouble at a nightclub and a racetrack.
"That's probably the unfortunate situation of maybe having too much money, too much time on his hands," said Steve Zubrzycki, who works for a company that started selling "Where's Jack?" T-shirts after authorities issued an arrest warrant for Whittaker earlier this month.
.......
Lottery winners commonly regret being so public about their windfalls, said Susan Bradley, founder of the Sudden Money Institute in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
"You're really in an international spotlight," Bradley said. "The expectations of you are just - it never ends. It's exaggerated by anyone who feels they are entitled or have an opportunity to grab a piece of it."
As for Whittaker, "I think it's pretty sad, really," said Jerry Medley of Hurricane. "It just goes to show money can't always buy happiness." He added: "I don't have no bad feelings about the guy. I just hope he gets his life straight. I think he could do some good with the money."
(Excerpt) Read more at modbee.com ...
I heard a little radio piece on lottery winners years ago.
The NYS Lottery gives(gave?) a primer on how to start dealing with being lottery winner.
The one tip I remember is if you have trouble saying "no" to all the parasites foisting guilt,
and the legitimate requests, btw, you set up a foundation and refer all requests to the foundation.
I agree that money cannot buy happiness, but
it wouldn't hurt to endure my misery in more
comfortable surroundings.
I work in a business where I have seen many people become very wealthy very quickly. And many times quite young.
I'd hate to tell you how many have crashed and burned.
I remember the old bumper sticker "Money doesn't buy happiness, but you eat better."
I might add that "money cannot buy happiness"
but something similar can be rented for awhile.
Money doesn't "make" you irresponsible.
Guns don't "make" you shoot people.
Cars don't "make" you drive drunk.
I have been planning for great wealth for
years. Haven't done much to create it, but
if it happens the plans are in place.
Sure it can. How do you think he got in so much trouble?!
Whittaker was already quite well off before the win. He's just a creep spending his money on strippers, booze, and an ugly party hardy lifestyle. An alcoholic and his money are soon parted, but he has enough to last for a lifetime of drunkenness.
"Top lottery winner emerges as haggard"
I am glad for Haggard! He is one of my favorite charactures in the Harry Potter books and has earned the extra money to get out of that hovel!
:)
Before all the money goes down the drain, hope he gets fitted with some teeth.
When you don't have money all you got is time.
Right. Sudden money doesn't change one's character -- it reveals it.
Ecclesiates 10:19 - A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
Works for me ...
I wouldn't say lottery winners provide an adequate sample for that conclusion.
Oh what a problem. Too much money. Dang!
Although he was already a wealthy contractor, Whittaker became an instant celebrity on Christmas Day 2002 after winning a $314.9 million Powerball jackpot. He took his winnings in a lump sum of $113 million after taxes, and at a news conference in which he came across as a jolly saint, he promised to donate one-tenth to his church and contribute to other causes.
He soon created a charity to help people find jobs, buy food or get an education; he split $7 million among three churches; and he gave money to improve a Little League park and buy playground equipment and coloring books for children.
snip
The break-in was the first of several thefts involving Whittaker's vehicle, his office and his house in Scott Depot, a booming bedroom community of about 8,000 situated between Charleston and Huntington, West Virginia's two biggest cities.
One of the thefts occurred at his home on the same day an 18-year-old friend of Whittaker's granddaughter was found dead there. The death remains under investigation. Whittaker was out of town at the time, but the young man's death made the lottery winner part of yet another front-page story.
(Also, last week Whittaker reported that his 17-year-old granddaughter was missing. The family had not seen or heard from Brandi Lasha Braff since Dec. 4. Authorities are investigating.)
snip
In a December 2003 interview with The Associated Press, Whittaker said he had provided about $14 million to more than 900 families.
snip
Whittaker has an unlisted number, and his lawyers did not respond to requests for an interview. He told the AP last year that he had been bombarded with requests for help, and the fame was taking a toll on his family.
"If I had to do it all over, I'd be more secluded about it," he said. "I'd do the same things, but I'd be a little more quiet."
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