A judge has ruled that the latest New Hampshire Powerball winner can remain anonymous. Click here to view the judge's order.
The verdict issued today by Judge Charles Temple of the Hillsborough County Superior Court, Southern District, says the winner’s town can be identified but no other personal information.
“We won. It’s great,” said Attorney William Shaheen, of Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. “The Lottery Commission has a right to say the winner came from Merrimack, but everything else she is entitled to a right to privacy. The Commission is enjoined from ever releasing her name or address permanently. Period.”
Shaheen, who represents the winner with Attorney Steven Gordon, got to break the good news to the lottery winner.
“She was jumping up and down,” Shaheen said. “She will be able to live her life normally.”
Last month, Shaheen and Gordon argued their client, who won $560 million in a January Powerball drawing, should be able to stay anonymous despite having signed the back of the ticket as instructed the Lottery Commission.
Gordon had filed a complaint for declaratory judgment, seeking an order from the court that public records identifying Ms. Doe as the winner – including the original winning ticket – are exempt from disclosure in response to a request made under New Hampshire Right to Know Law, because they would constitute a substantial invasion of her privacy.
The court had allowed Jane Doe to claim her prize through the Good Karma Family 2018 Nominee Trust facilitated through the law firm with Shaheen serving as trustee while awaiting the ruling. Last week, the trust made donations totaling nearly $250,000 to Girls Inc. and three chapters of End 68 Hours of Hunger.
This winner marks the 11th Powerball jackpot winner in New Hampshire history.
