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The mysterious man who won half of the giant Mega Millions jackpot a couple weeks back when he bought his ticket at a Bronx bodega has finally come forward—and now he might wish that he had kept quiet about it. 49-year-old Jimmy Groves of Harlem gave the Post the usual "I'm going to Disney World" quote, but also revealed a darker side of letting people know about his newfound $168 million. Groves says that his "family is in a position of jeopardy" and has been receiving 40 calls a day from people hitting him up for a hand-out. He tells the paper, "I wake up every morning, and everyone is on me like stink on shit. I know people say, 'Give me that hell.' Be careful what you wish for — you just might get it." Groves may have wished for a little too much attention himself—he was seen last week "toting a store sign bearing the lottery prize amount." He'll be toting an even bigger sign with it soon when the lottery officials confirm that Groves won and throw him a press conference to present one of those snazzy giant checks. The Post says Groves has already quit his job stacking chairs overnight at Madison Square Garden and just this year had defaulted on a credit card.
Harlem Man Says Mega Millions Winnings Blessing & Curse
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he didnt have to go public with his winnings right?
couldn't he just collect quietly?
I'd keep myself under the radar - too many greedy ticks n leeches out there.
I think there is a disclaimer on the ticket that does not allow you to stay anonymous. Especially in a large jackpot like this, Mega Millions will use him in their advertising.
You will see another story about this guy in 2 years after he has spent everything and is in financial ruins. Classy quote, "like stink on shit"
You have to go public, both for marketing purposes and transparency purposes.
Is it true that lottery winners are obligated in NYS to go public?
TELL NO ONE.
You HAVE to tell. That's why you probably have to change your name once you win.
what's the fine print on the back of the ticket? isn't there a clause for public appearances/likeness or something like that. but then another poster mentioned you do not have to appear publicly as a winner. what does that mean?
maybe he should have followed in the winner steps of that other guy in shades and made the check out to his fund entity.
It actually states that "the ticket holder agrees to participate in interviews with Lottery public relations personnel and news media".
This is why when you win the lottery, the VERY first thing you need to do is establish a trust, and have the winnings go to said trust.
That way, only the trust is publicly identified, and you get to remain anonymous. Not to mention the tax benefits, etc...
That's what the winner(s) of a Powerball jackpot earlier this year did. A lawyer representing the LLC went to the award photo op in his/her/their place(s).
Rule #1 of winning the lottery:
DON'T TALK ABOUT WINNING THE LOTTERY
Rule #2?
DON'T TALK ABOUT WINNING THE LOTTERY!!!!
Fulfill your contractual obligations but that's it. Then change your name and move far away.
At least this guy won some serious cash. It's worse when you only win a small sum, like one million. You still get hassled as if you were rich, and some start spending like they are, when in reality you're far from it.
There was an article in the Times years ago about all the "1 Millionaires" whose lives were ruined by winning the lottery. I wish I could find it, but I can't seem to locate it via NYT search.
You must move to another state -- at least 2 states away -- and do it VERY fast. Otherwise the robbers and crooks come knocking.
I don't feel for him for a second. Here's an idea, tell people a firm negatory when they hit you up for cash, change your phone number, and move to a nicer location perhaps with some form of security. I mean, the man can afford it.
If he really has a problem with it, he can hire me to tell people to piss off and stop asking for handouts. That'd be a nice paycheck.
If he doesn't have the backbone to say "no," I don't feel sorry for him.
I believe, as a winner, you not only agree to allow your name to be made public but you have to agree to allow photographs of yourself to be published as well. If that's the price of winning, I'd pay it in a NY minute.
Sell the ticket for a portion of the winnings. Thats another option. People would pay like that.
People from humble backgrounds, like Mr Groves, might have trouble saying no because they often needed some help in the past. Maybe he need to borrow rent money or crash on someone's old sofa for weeks to keep out of the rain.
The bigger problem is it's not like he earned all this money by hard work or brilliance. That's an entirely different mindset most of us will never understand.
I know someone who made bank in the dot com days. Her advice to anyone who ever asked was to keep quiet. I guess you can't get around it if you're forced to do a lottery press conference. She says it changes your social dynamic with everyone--best friends, siblings, etc.--and, in her opinion, never for the better.
Guarantee this guy spends it will within the next five years.
...let's see if he lives more than 5 yrs or stays where he is.
He can afford to change his phone number. Bitch.