Florida Lottery Winner Tries to Hide Winnings From Wife

Many big lottery winners prefer to remain anonymous to avoid being pestered by relatives, salesmen, and new found 'friends.' Some lottery winners go to great lengths to hide their newfound wealth from others. Buying lottery tickets can lead to great wealth but in Mr. Ramdass's case it also brought real trouble. Arnim Ramdass of Florida went in with coworkers at the Miami airport and shared part of a $19 million dollar lottery jackpot. The group opted for a lump sum payment of $10.2 million and after taxes Ramdass's share was $450,000. To conceal the winnings from his wife, a former beauty queen, Ramdass cut off cable connections, internet and phone service at his home.

Ramdass and his coworkers pooled their money twice a week to purchase lottery tickets and on June 20, 2007 they pooled $220 and hit the jackpot. According to Ramdass's coworkers he took a leave of absence and they have not seen him since the big win. In addition Ramdass stopped paying rent and other bills as well. Ramdass's wife, Donna Campbell a runner up in the 1979 Miss Trinidad and Tobago beauty pageant became suspicious. She said she became suspicious when her husband kept the television turned off and disconnected the phone. Her suspicions increased when she intercepted a postcard about a new house purchase.

Still unaware that her husband was hiding a lucrative secret she Googled her husband’s name and lottery numbers and found a Florida lottery press release naming all 17 winners including her husband. Ms. Campbell confronted her husband who claimed he bought the lottery ticket for his daughter from a previous marriage. Ramdass indicated that he wanted to end the marriage and start over after the big lottery win. There was just one problem with his plan; his wife wanted half of his winnings.

Ramdass solved that problem by disappearing. He has not been seen and Ms. Campbell's attorney cannot serve him with divorce papers. Ms. Campbell did sue but a Florida judge ruled she was not entitled to any of the winnings. Recently she received an eviction notice and is being forced from her home. Many believe Ramdass has fled the country. The plight of Mrs. Ramdass is not a pleasant one. Mrs. Ramdass may want to consider buying lottery tickets of her own. And if she is smart she will keep it to herself and not say a word to anyone.