JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Cases of lottery winners being scammed, threatened or even murdered have captured headlines here in Florida and other states, but legislation that just cleared the Florida House would provide winners with some anonymity.
Abraham Shakespeare hit the jackpot in 2006, taking home $17 million.
Four years later his body was found buried in the backyard of an acquaintance.
“We know people have been killed for their lottery winnings,” said State Representative Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville).
Currently, lottery winners’ phone numbers and addresses are kept secret, but their names are published in press releases.
Tracie Davis’ legislation would offer those who win $250,000 or more the option to remain anonymous for 90 days.
“If the person elects not to have their name revealed, then they have 90 days before it’s revealed,” said Davis.
The bill cleared the full House Wednesday with just one no vote.
Representative Anthony Sabatini calls the bill ‘feel good’ legislation.
“People want to know who won the lottery. That’s fine, we should know. It’s a government-run program. It’s a taxpayer-funded program,” said Sabatini.
But Davis argues, by eventually revealing the names of winners, the public can still see how the tax dollars are spent and the winners will have an opportunity to get legal advice, establish trusts or even move.
“That’s just the time that we felt was sufficient for someone to basically be able to go and get their house in order before their information is revealed. Because it will be revealed,” said Davis.
Ten states have already adopted similar laws, including Georgia.
The proposal here in Florida still has to clear one Senate committee and then the Senate Chamber.