A Maine man, who struck gold with a $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot in January, is now facing unexpected legal turmoil as he sues the mother of his child for allegedly violating a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). According to court papers, the lottery winner, referred to as John Doe to maintain his anonymity, claims that his baby mama, identified as Sara Smith, breached the confidentiality agreement by revealing the windfall to his parents.
The lawsuit, filed in a Maine federal court on Tuesday, outlines that John Doe had a decade-long NDA in place, requiring Smith to keep the jackpot win a secret. However, in September, the winner discovered that Smith had prematurely disclosed the information without his consent and attempted to conceal her actions.
Seeking legal recourse, John Doe is asking the court to compel Smith to provide a written confession detailing everyone she disclosed the information to. Additionally, he is seeking compensation of at least $100,000 for each unauthorized disclosure.
The NDA was initially established on February 8, aimed at safeguarding the safety, security, and privacy of the lottery winner, Smith, and their daughter. It intended to prevent the media or the public from discovering John Doe's identity, a concern often associated with major lottery wins.
Despite the NDA stipulating confidentiality until June 1, 2032, the lawsuit alleges that Smith breached the agreement by informing Doe's father, stepmother, and other third parties about the jackpot win. The legal filing emphasizes the irreparable harm caused to John Doe due to these unauthorized disclosures.
The Mega Millions jackpot, drawn on January 14 at Hometown Gas & Grill in Lebanon, ranked as the fourth largest in history. John Doe, choosing to remain anonymous, claimed the prize through the liability company Lakoma Island Investments LLC and opted for a lump-sum payment of approximately $498 million after taxes.
This legal saga surrounding the Mega Millions winner highlights the complexities and challenges associated with managing newfound wealth, privacy concerns, and the implications of contractual agreements in the wake of life-changing events.
