Many Mega Millions lottery tickets. Mega Millions is Americas biggest jackpot game. It is held in 42 states and has jackpots starting at $12 million.Photo:Getty
Getty
The mystery manbought the historic winning ticketon Jan. 13 at Hometown Gas & Grill in Lebanon and selected a one-time, lump-sum payment of $723,564,144 before taxes, PEOPLE previously reported.
The Maine Lottery Association revealed the man’s win in a statement on Feb. 22, nearly six weeks after the drawing, according toThe Boston Globe. At the time, a representative for the winner said the lucky individual “is thoughtfully considering the best uses of the life-changing prize,” according to the paper.
The winner’s identity has remained a secret, even to lottery officials. “I understand why someone would want to remain anonymous with this kind of money, Michael Boardman, deputy director of Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operation, said, perCBS News. “We wish them well and hope they do good things with it.”
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However, per the lawsuit filed Tuesday, during “one or more telephone communications” with his father and stepmom in September, Smith allegedly divulged his win, reported theNew York Daily News. The man’s sister was also allegedly made aware of his windfall, according to theNew York Post.
The Maine man, identified as John Doe in the court document, is seeking the names of those who were given the “unauthorized” disclosures as well as compensatory damages “in an amount to be determined at trial, but no less than $100,000 per unauthorized disclosure,” per The Daily Beast.
“As a result of Defendant’s unauthorized disclosures, John Doe has suffered irreparable injury, and there is immediate and imminent danger that John Doe will continue to suffer irreparable injury for which there is no adequate remedy at law,” the suit alleges.
The man’s attorney, Gregory Brown, declined to comment to PEOPLE about the case.
source: people.com
