$1.35B Mega Millions Winner Sues Ex for Blabbing About Win to Parents

Maine’s biggest lottery winner is suing his ex, potentially for hundreds of thousands of dollars, for telling his parents about his $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot win.

The plaintiff, named in court documents as “John Doe,” accuses the mother of his daughter, “Sara Smith,” of breaking a nondisclosure agreement when she spilled the beans about his newfound riches to his dad and stepmom. Billionaire Doe wants at least $100K for every person she told.

The winning ticket was purchased at Hometown Gas & Grill in Lebanon, Maine in January 2023. The draw, on Friday, January 13th, produced the fourth-largest lottery payout in US history.

Mystery Man

Unlike some states, Maine doesn’t permit lottery winners to remain anonymous, although a loophole allows claimants to shield their identity by collecting the prize via a limited liability company (LLC). John Doe claimed his windfall through an LLC called LaKoma Island Investments, according to the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations.

He opted for a one-time pre-tax cash payment of $723,564,144, which would have worked out at about $404.1 million after state and federal taxes.

What we’re doing here in our small town – we’re keeping our eye out for an odd limousine,” Hometown owner Fred Cotreau joked to NECN shortly after the winning ticket was sold. “It’s not the prom season, so if we see a limousine in a driveway somewhere, we’re gonna go knockin’.”

Which is exactly what John Doe fears.

Loose Lips

In return for signing the NDA and promising to keep quiet, Doe claims Smith was assured “support and ongoing security resources.”

Doe argues Smith’s loose talk violated the agreement and, as a result, “other third parties are now in possession of John Doe’s protected subject matter, including his sister.”

Despite his millions, he also wants “all reasonable attorney fees, expenses, and court costs incurred in the prosecution of this lawsuit.”