A Mega Millions jackpot victor is currently entangled in a legal battle with his family, who allege he has withheld his substantial $1.35 billion windfall
Identified solely as John Doe in legal documents, he defied astronomical odds of 1 in 302.6 million to secure the historic $1.35 billion prize, marking the second-largest Mega Millions victory and the fourth-largest in US history.
Despite receiving $500 million after taxes, complications arose when he filed a lawsuit against Sara Smith, the mother of his daughter, for purportedly violating a non-disclosure agreement by divulging his win to his family.
However, fresh court filings suggest it was Doe himself who disclosed his winnings to his family.
In a surprising turn of events, Smith’s legal representatives argue that Doe voluntarily informed his father and stepmother about his lottery success, contradicting his assertion that she disclosed his secret. In a sworn affidavit, Doe’s father disclosed that Doe had visited their family residence and disclosed his lottery triumph to them.
Within the affidavit, Doe’s father expresses disappointment over his son’s failure to fulfill alleged promises of financial assistance.
Doe admitted to discussing his winnings with his father and stepmother, acknowledging that their relationship soured shortly thereafter.
In retaliation, his father accuses him of deceitfulness on various matters following his substantial lottery victory.
His statement reads: “In February or March of 2023, my son came to my house in [REDACTED], and told me and my wife that he had won a large sum of money in the Maine State Lottery.
“He promised to build me a garage and buy me some cars to restore. He knew I used to enjoy working on and restoring old cars. He also said he wanted to buy us the house where he lived with me and his mother (my previous wife) when he was a child. He said, ‘Find out what they want for it, and I’ll pay double,’ or words to that effect. This is not something my current wife and I wanted to do.”
The father asserts that his son promised to create a $1 million trust fund, guaranteeing him a monthly income and covering the costs of at-home nursing care for the remainder of his life. He mentioned his son insisted that neither he nor his stepmother have any communication with Smith.
Doe’s father said: “Smith is the mother of our grandchild and we have had a good relationship with her over the years. I thought she was a good mother and we did not want to turn our back on her as he insisted.”
Following his confrontation with his son regarding his changed demeanor, the father disclosed that his son “became enraged, labeling me as a dictator and an unpleasant person.”
Doe’s father added : ”I have not heard from my son since, and he has not fulfilled any of [the] promises he made.”
