$560M Powerball lottery winner: Keep my ID secret

MERRIMACK - Newly filed court records show a local woman won the $560 million Powerball ticket sold last month in Merrimack but is now trying to keep her identity anonymous - even though she already signed the back of the winning ticket - due to safety and other concerns.

"She has described the signing as 'a huge mistake,'" according to court records filed by her legal counsel at Hillsborough County Superior Court South in Nashua.

The woman, identified in court documents only as Jane Doe, asked that her identity remain a secret even though existing New Hampshire Lottery Commission rules require a winner sign the back of a winning ticket before being able to claim the prize. However, had the ticket been signed in the name of a trust, she could have maintained her privacy.

Her attorney said she deeply values her privacy and announcing her name could lead to safety issues.

"She is a longtime resident of New Hampshire and is an engaged community member," wrote attorney Steven Gordon from the Shaheen and Gordon law firm. "She wishes to continue this work and the freedom to walk into a grocery store or attend public events without being known or targeted as the winner of a half-billion dollars."

Read more: http://www.unionleader.com/Lottery-winner:-Keep-my-ID-secret


Reeds Ferry Market in Merrimack sold the winning $559.7 million Powerball ticket last month. Now the unidentified winner is taking New Hampshire Lottery to court to stay anonymous. (Courtesy)