Winner of $560M Powerball refusing to claim prize over anonymity

Feb. 6 (UPI) -- The winner of the $560 million Powerball jackpot is refusing to claim her prize and is suing New Hampshire's Lottery Commission to maintain her anonymity.

The lottery winner said in the complaint that she made "a huge mistake" signing her name on the back of the ticket and is attempting to be exempt from the state's "Right to Know Law."

By signing her name on the back of the ticket, she cannot alter the signature or hide her identity without voiding it.

The female winner is asking to "white out her name, address, phone and signature and replace the information with that of the trust with the original ticket be preserved and sealed, and exempt from disclosure."

"Petitioner deeply values her privacy," the complaint said.

"She is a long-time resident of New Hampshire and is an engaged community member. She wishes to continue this work and the freedom to walk into a grocery store or attend public events without being known or targeted as the winner of a half-billion dollars."

The petition also said the winner, named Jane Doe in the suit, intends to contribute a portion of her winnings to a charitable foundation and be a "silent witness" to these good works.

New Hampshire's open-record laws mandate that the winner disclose her name, town and the amount won.

"While we respect this player's desire to remain anonymous, state statutes and lottery rules clearly dictate protocols," New Hampshire Lottery Executive Director Charlie McIntyre said in a statement.