Powerball winner could get her prize as privacy suit swirls

While lawyers for the winner of a $560 million Powerball jackpot headed into a courtroom in Nashua, N.H., Tuesday to fight for her privacy, one New Hampshire legislator said he wants to change state law to ensure the anonymity of all winners.

State Sen. Kevin Cavanaugh said he’s not sure changing the law would have any effect on this Powerball case.

“I think that anytime we can protect someone’s privacy, we should probably do it,” Cavanaugh said.

The winner has not cashed in her ticket while the legal battle rages. Judge Charles Temple took the case under advisement after a short hearing. Lawyer Steven Gordon said his client loses thousands of dollars a day in interest, but state lottery chief Charlie McIntyre said the woman might be able to claim her winnings in a few days while the legal questions are sorted out.

Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio and South Carolina allow winners to remain anonymous. Georgia lawmakers are considering a bill to join them. New Hampshire is among a handful of states where anonymity can be protected with a bit of legal wrangling.

New Hampshire law requires release of a winner’s name and hometown. The state Attorney General’s Office said releasing the names provides transparency and assures the public that winners aren’t associated with the lottery.

Cavanaugh suggested tickets include a box buyers could check to indicate they didn’t want their names revealed.

The winner, identified only as Jane Doe, won the drawing Jan. 6 after buying the ticket at Reeds Ferry Market, a convenience store in Merrimack, N.H. Her lawsuit claims she joined a small demographic of jackpot winners that “has historically been victimized by the unscrupulous.”

Cavanaugh said he understands the woman’s concerns — he bought a lottery ticket himself over the weekend, but his ticket did not place him in that group.

“No winner,” he said with a laugh. “I wouldn’t have to check any box.”