A billionaire lottery winner who has remained anonymous since securing a $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot in January 2023 may soon have his identity revealed, following a new court ruling.
The man, who claimed the fourth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history, has gone to great lengths to keep his name hidden. He used a Delaware-based limited liability company to claim the prize and bypass Maine’s disclosure laws. He opted for a lump sum payment of $723.6 million before taxes.
However, his secrecy is now at risk after U.S. District Judge John Woodcock ruled last week that the winner, who has filed lawsuits under the name “John Doe,” cannot use a pseudonym if his ongoing court battle with his ex-partner goes to trial.
The dispute involves Sara Smith, the mother of his daughter, who signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) shortly after Doe won the jackpot. According to court filings, Doe claims Smith violated the NDA by telling his parents about the lottery win. He is now suing her for damages, demanding $100,000 for each alleged breach of the agreement and a full list of everyone she told.
Smith denies the allegations and argues that Doe made up the claims to pressure her into giving up custody of their daughter. She stated in court documents that Doe removed their child from school for several weeks in early 2023, citing security concerns and a potential kidnapping threat. Smith says the child wore a GPS watch, but it was later turned off and mailed back to her. The girl remained out of school for the rest of the academic year until Smith filed an emergency order, prompting her return in March.
Smith also alleges that Doe offered her money in exchange for full custody.
Adding to the family drama, Doe’s father submitted an affidavit stating that his son demanded he cut ties with Smith. He also claimed Doe failed to deliver on promises to buy him a garage and cars with his lottery winnings. Their relationship soured after a confrontation, with the father recalling that he told Doe, “You are not the son I knew.”
“He got angry, calling me a ‘dictator’ and an ‘a-hole,’” the father wrote, adding that they haven’t spoken since.
Judge Woodcock’s ruling means that if the case moves forward, Doe’s identity will be made public. His legal team has since appealed the decision in an effort to delay the trial. If Doe wants to remain anonymous, he may have to drop the lawsuit altogether.Smith’s attorneys did not respond to a request for comment.
