Mystery Still Surrounds Idaho Winner of $190 Million
- Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:22am by
Scott Baker
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RATHDRUM, Idaho (AP) — Holly Lahti burst into the spotlight a week ago in a feel-good story about a single mother who won a $190 million Mega Millions jackpot.
Then came the mugshot: a thin young woman with disheveled brown hair, sporting a black eye and cuts and bruises on her face and neck. It turned out she was separated from a man who court records indicated had abused her, and now has a possible claim to some of the money through a quirk in Idaho law.
Lahti, 29, went underground with her two daughters immediately after learning she had won half of a $380 million jackpot in the Jan. 4 drawing. She has not been seen or heard in public since, though she has posted a message to her suddenly large group of Facebook followers.
The mugshot was taken after Holly and her husband Josh both were arrested during a domestic dispute in 2003. The charges were later dropped, and the couple has long been separated.
Josh Lahti said he did not know Holly had won the lottery until told by a reporter from The Associated Press last week.
“That’s awesome! I won’t have to pay child support!” Josh said upon learning his wife was rich.
As it turns out, the husband could be entitled to a chunk of the winnings because he and Lahti never divorced and were never legally separated for that matter. Idaho’s murky law on the issue requires a divorce filing to grant separation, which is a key factor in splitting up assets between spouses.
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While the lawyers sort out the issue in the months ahead, Lahti can rejoice in the fact that her troubled past has given way to riches beyond her wildest dreams.
She quit her job as a customer service representative for a bank after winning the jackpot, then she asked family and friends not to talk with reporters. She did not appear at the Jan. 12 press conference in Boise in which her good fortune was revealed.
Lahti’s Facebook page appears to have been scrubbed of most personal information, other than a couple of messages.
“Don’t really know what to say, like the articles said….A 29-year-old mother of two and former bank worker from northern Idaho has claimed the remaining half of a $380 million Mega Millions jackpot. ;),” said one message that cites the lead of an AP article written the day the winnings were announced.
The other Facebook message from Lahti said: “Listen, as you can all imagine, there are a ton of messages coming in, & there is so much to do. Please send 1 message if you have a request or pitch or plea, OR post your kind wishes or requests here on the wall.
“I promise to read them all & even if it takes a month to go through, all of your messages will be acknowledged. Please be patient, & respectful of privacy, don’t be rude. Thnx.”
In a brief telephone interview, Josh Lahti said the two started dating in high school and got married in 2001.
Holly Lahti still lives in the couple’s home in Rathdrum, a town in the Idaho Panhandle. Josh said he sees his daughters, age 12 and 10, most days.
Friends of Lahti are upset at all the attention paid to the decade-old mugshot, and say it does not reflect the devoted and hardworking young mother who has moved on from a troubled marriage.
“She is kind. She is friendly. She is shy,” said Jennifer Mayberry, who has lived in the same neighborhood for a decade. “My children play with her children.”
Lahti opted Friday to collect her jackpot in a lump-sum payment, instead of annual payments over 25 years. She will get $120 million, which will be reduced to $80.6 million by federal and state taxes.
It will be a dramatic change for a woman who by all indications appeared to be of limited means.
A search of public records revealed that she grew up in California and moved with her parents to Rathdrum, where she graduated from high school. Her marriage to Josh appears to have included some violence.
Holly Lahti was arrested and charged with battery in 2003 in Kootenai County, but the prosecutor eventually dismissed the charges. Her husband was arrested on the same charge the same day, and those charges were also dismissed.
In 2003, Josh Lahti was arrested for violating a no-contact order, and that charge was dismissed. He was also charged with second-degree kidnapping, possession of drug paraphernalia, domestic abuse, battery and false imprisonment. All but the kidnapping were dismissed. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years probation.
In 2000, he was charged with domestic violence, but the charge was reduced to disturbing the peace. He was also cited in 2001 for failing to make child support payments.
Does Josh Lahti have a claim to some of the money? A University of Idaho law professor said it is unclear.
Nearly all other states except Idaho have laws that differentiate between separation and divorce, with division of assets clearly defined in each case, said Elizabeth Brandt, professor of family law. The Idaho statute muddles the concept of legal separation, and there is no clear case law on the issue.
But while the lottery winnings are almost certainly community property, Josh Lahti should not expect a huge windfall, Brandt said.
Holly Lahti can still file for divorce, and contend the winnings are all hers because the couple do not live together and do not support each other, Brandt said. A divorce does not automatically produce a 50-50 split of assets.
Holly Lahti could also negotiate a settlement with her husband, she said.
“I can’t imagine he will have a significant claim to these earnings in the end,” Brandt said.
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Comments (96)
takemout
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:32pmWhat a handsome couple!
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 2:16pmThis is not a funny story by any means…but you did make me laugh.
Report Post »rps57x
Posted on January 23, 2011 at 10:36amMick Foley looks like just went through a table,ladder,and chairs match
Report Post »patriot4evah
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:16pmShe should have gotten a divorce, he is entitled to half.
Report Post »blacksmith
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:13pmIf the law states that he is entitled to a portion of the money then so be it. We are a society of laws and not of men. All must stand equal before the law. This is a personal responsibility issue. She has had years to file for divorce and if she did not that falls on her. The article also states that he sees his children most days. There may not be a dirtbag here. It may just have been an oil and water relationship where they both pushed each others buttons and both may be to blame for the violence.
Report Post »ClockKing
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:41amGet a top lawyer, give the monster a small share and get him out of her life. In a couple of years, he’ll overdose or be back in jail.
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:41amTough crap for her, she needs to give hubby half. Typical lefties automatically assuming that the husband is guilty of a crime. If the roles were reversed he would be expected to cough up half and then some. Typical pinko assumptions across the board. By the way if he was such a menace why didn’t she get divorced or legally seperated. Cough up the dough lady.
Report Post »awizard
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:37amYou guys jump too quickly with your assumptions … My first wife used to attack me regularly, neighbors would call the cops, yada, yada … I never hit her but in self defense (I had to get the knife away from her) … I never did give up my parental rights, and did see my kids through college.
She married three more times after me, all ended in violence and divorce … I am still with my second wife and happy …
Point is you don’t know which one is the “Dirt bag” …
The part about the taxes really made me wince …
Report Post »wtune
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:32amSadly, in most of the country, the laws require that police arrest both parties in domestic “disputes.” This takes the burden of determining fault from the trained police officers on the scene (who actually see the damages) to a judge or magistrate who hears “he says, she says” testimony possibly days later. So the fact that both Mr. and Mrs. Lahti were arrested for domestic disputes in no way impugns the integrity of Mrs. Lahti. Personally, I think any man who hits a woman has no integrity to impugn. If he caused the bruises in her mug shot, he deserves jail time, and certainly none of the lottery windfall.
Report Post »In a Bunker
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:31amLet‘s hope he doesn’t get one red cent!
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:57amI have the number of the law firm “ Dewey Cheetum and Howe”
Report Post »if she needs a good lawyer.
PeachyinGA
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 6:52pmSomething in this story doesn’t mesh. Husband‘s first response to finding out was that now he wouldn’t have to pay child support. Yet, article states he may have a claim to the winnings because they weren’t divorced or even properly separated. Under those circumstances, is it even possible he is paying child support, or is he just full of lies? I hope she hires a fantastic lawyer and that she is a great mom. Loser dad doesn’t deserve a penny!
Report Post »radioguru
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:31amIf the roles were reversed…. the woman would not only get 1/2, but her child support would be “through the roof”. The guys a looser but he get’s half….again, it wouldn’t even be on the blaze if a looser woman was involved and a guy won because we would all know the woman gets half.
Report Post »In a Bunker
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:30amI hope that @hole doesn’t get a friggin dime.
Report Post »Flannery
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:27amMaybe just a reflection of the status of marriage as an institution with many people of “marrying age” in our society. Most couples live together and may or may not get married even if they have children. Here they got married for some reason but never felt that the marriage was significant enough to legally end it when they no longer lived together. Neither saw any compelling reason to go through the hassle of formally ending a marriage that had already been informally ended. Marriage for most, is no longer a covenant and maybe not even a commitment. Marriage is an arrangement that is rearranged by convenience. Its only when something like this that dumps a bunch of money onto the issue that those old fashion legal technicalities cause inconvenient problems.
Report Post »Dawgnabox
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:25amPay him off, get rid of him. Problem is, he’s the father of the children but with her bank she can keep away from him. What she really needs is a couple good advisers. Family is always best but with her money she can’t trust anyone.Sometimes money is a cures but one I would gladly deal with. The best thing about this is she can take care of the kids now, maybe help family (even if they didn’t help her) We know absolutely nothing about her present situation but I wish her all the best. Just don’t trust anyone, double and triple check everything. I wish her good luck and call me!! lol…..
Report Post »streetrodder
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:18amI know its alot of money and she is set forever but did anybody see how much the state and feds took in taxes, 40m. Thats the crime.
Report Post »Sledgehammer
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:17amShe disciplined enough to protect herself and her kids, from the media, He’d be dead of an over dose in a week! I wish her well, him, not so much.
Report Post »Silversmith
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:07amA bad marriage doesn’t start out that way, hopefully. And with 80 million after taxes, she could set him up for life and never miss it. Just make sure that it finally closes the door on him and move on.
Any kind of fight is not seeing the forest for the trees.
Silversmith
Report Post »jason6117
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:07amI hope this one dont get ugly. I have a feeling it will.
Report Post »Carl1
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:03amPraying for the best for her and the kids. He don’t deserve anything.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:53amRich or poor violence is violence. I hope the new wealth helps them both have a new lease on life.
Report Post »C. Schwehr
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:53amI hope she moves to an undisclosed location, hires tutors for the kids and just dissapears from her bastard “husbands” radar screen. Barring that, she should just give him a one time offer of $1 million and a quickie divorce otherwise he get’s NOTHING.
Report Post »All that aside, I wish her the best….and hope she doesn’t make the same mistake with another bastard.
crossdraw
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:45amI’m sorry but WHO CARES. Simply looking at her “husband” is enough for me to know, DIRT BAG
Report Post »Mackerel
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:44amOnce again the scales of justice could be tilted in the wrong direction.
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:41amThats just great, 6 billion people on the planet and who wins the lottery?
The backwoods banjo playing supporting cast from the movie Deliverance.
I wonder if Jethro squeeled like a pig when he found out his wife had won.
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:02amI thought Jethro always hollered YEEE HAWWWW
Report Post »mill
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 5:02pmHeck of a lot better than people that call others names…
Report Post »MJ1025
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:36amWhy are you posting this? Leave her alone.
Report Post »Many women married young and to the wrong man and were abused. She has moved on.
912828Buckeye
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:33amI’ll say one thing for this woman…..She was smart enough
Report Post »to get away from that knuckle head husband of hers, just not
smart enough to divorce him.
chasbronson
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:05amShe couldn’t afford to feed her kids and the blood sucking lawyers for the divorce at the same time.
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:10amGood point ,but after 8 years?
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:12amWomen in love do strange things. She was probably holding out hope that some day he would change. I’m sure he is about to profess his love for her and try to get back together for a bigger chunk of the lotto winnings.
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:32amIf that is the case Kate then I was wrong on my first post.
Report Post »Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:51am@Untamable
True Kate, my sister is on husband number 12 now.
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:59amWhen I was young I hung on to relationships long after they had gone bad, and I wasn’t even married to these men. Alot of times women can’t let go, they think they can change these guys. This woman doesn’t look like she has a great deal of selfconfidence. With that comes low self-esteem. I hope I’m wrong but I have known alot of women who have that same look of defeat about them, I used to be one of them twenty years ago.
Report Post »Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:21pmMy oppinion of a man abusing a woman is very simple: Plant him six feet under in the middle of the most desolate hole of the AZ deserts, plenty of old mine shafts availible, and filled with rattlers for the good neighbours society to keep him there.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:30pmHusband number 12 ??
Report Post »Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 1:13pm@NZKIWI
Yes, husband #12. She has had very bad times with finding a good husband; I keep hoping she can break the cycle once and for all. Either by finding a good husband, or doing without one.
Report Post »Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:30amI hope the best for her and her child, hopefully this matter will be settled peacefully once and for all for her benefit. Now watch the lifesucking leeches of lawyerville come out of the swamp and primordial mud layers to get at her and him.
Report Post »etetetet
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:38amStat is a about 12 years old but, I wouldn’t be surprised if the numbers are still failry close:
Report Post »US has ~6% of the worlds population & the US has ~66% of the words lawyers. That in a nutshell sums up the path of our country.
dwh320
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:38amI feel sorry for her. Looks like he abused her in the past and will get a chance to do so again… this time he will get rich doing it. So sad…
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:43amlifesucking leeches of lawyerville …. ;D
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:50amNow here is the makings of a true Hollywood story.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:50amI hope she has a role model with some common sense to guide her. If not, this could be the beginning of a very ugly situation.
Report Post »chasbronson
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:04amThe difference between a de ad skunk laying along the road, and a de ad lawyer laying along the road??There were skid marks at the scene of the skunk.
Report Post »patriotsrn1
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:07amIn this case, there is enough for both of them to share! He may not deserve it, but i believe her best course of action is an even split with her soon to be EX continent on him agreeing to a full divorce and no further claims on her half of the split or her life! Once all that is done, if I was her I would leave and get as far away from him as possible!!!
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:10amHer husband doesn’t deserve anything – consider it restitution for his lack of anger management. I wish her the best, hope she is making better choices in her life, and hope she has found a trustworthy person to help her protect her new found fortune.
Report Post »so broke
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:20am* * * Stay Tuned * * *
Report Post »Sam I am
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:20amWhat’s the over/under on this?
Report Post »I’ll say one year, and one is dead of a drug overdose, and the other broke.
Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:50am@etetetet
66% of the worlds lawyers? God above why do we not export them then, the payments of other countries for NOT sending them overseas to their respective governments would pay off the national debt in a few hours. Of course, we could also just mention to the trial lawyers that Osama bin Lauden wants to file a class-action suit on behalf of the taliban, and then follow the layers right to his cave.
One tomahawk enters afterward.
Solves two problems at one time.
@Grandmaof5
Good morning, thank you and all the others here for helping get rid of that counterfeiter yesterday. I am glad for the Blaze members working togeather on the matter.
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:03pmSAM I AM
Ive got $5 that says Starbuck names a drink after her.
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 3:22pmSince they are still married, he should get half. She should have divorced him, already.
Better for her to just give him half through an intermediary, divorce him, and be done with him as best she can.
Report Post »mill
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 4:59pmwhy do we need to look into either one of their lives? Leave them alone.
This obcession
Report Post »of knowing all about these people and their background
..should be applied to the present occupant of the white house..
booger71
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 5:13pmShe needs to stay off the grid. I am sure year husband will find a low class lawyer who will find a liberal judge who will put a restraining order for her not to spend the money until it is settled in court. Hopefully she has cashed the check and is in hiding. I would get passports, and quietly head for the Caymans.
Report Post »lindap1667
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:29pmI wish her all the luck in the world, but when you are dealing with an abuser (I did for almost twenty years), your dealing with someone who wants control and he will be around until he gets his share of money. Yes if they are married, he gets 50% of it. Please get devorced from these guys and get them out of your life.
Report Post »KbJockey
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:19pmI hope the two can come to some agreement without getting a couple of blood and money sucking lawyers involved. Even a 50/50 split would be better than getting lawyers involved. If lawyers do get involved they will drag it out until all $80 mil is eaten up in lawyers fees and both Lahtis will end up with $10.00 each an be just as broke as the were before.
Report Post »CYCLONE
Posted on January 23, 2011 at 2:03amactually… she should have STFU….. AND GOT A LAWYER AND THEN A DIVORCE… and THEN CASHED IN THE TICKET….and yes, it did make me laugh….. :-) …..
Report Post »Glenn in Virginia
Posted on January 23, 2011 at 2:52pmListen, Bubba, if she DOESN’T hire a good divorce lawyer, she’ll be a sheep in a meadow full of wolves.
Report Post »HONORQUEST
Posted on January 23, 2011 at 4:49pmI lived across the street from Holly for nearly 4 years. My daughter lived right next door to them, beginning when the couple was still together. The press has had a heyday villifying Josh, but they both seemed to have their issues. Josh has kept involved with the little girls. The girls are very sweet. They must be doing something right. We have no idea if him receiving 1/2 of this money is even an issue for them. He may not be trying to claim it. She may not have a problem splitting it–or sharing some of it.
This is all a big story brewed up by the parasitic press.