Wife Sues Husband for Share of Secret $600K Lottery Win

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Family Law

Wife Sues Husband for Share of Secret $600K Lottery Win

Posted May 12, 2008, 02:29 pm CDT
By Martha Neil

It was a secret that surely could not be kept for long. But Arnim Ramdass allegedly tried.

The airline mechanic, 52, disconnected the phone line at home and forbade his stay-at-home wife, Donna Campbell, 48, to watch television, Campbell claims in a lawsuit. Eventually, however, she learned the truth: Ramdass, along with 16 other mechanics at Miami International Airport, had won a $19 million lottery jackpot. Split among the 17 workers, it amounted to a $600,000 lump-sum payday, before taxes, for each of them, reports the Miami Herald.

In her suit, Campbell claims Ramdass fraudulently conspired to conceal the lottery payout from her, and contends she is entitled to a 50 percent share of her husband's take from the winning ticket because it was purchased with marital assets.

Once the lawsuit is resolved, the newspaper says, she plans to divorce him.

However, Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey temporarily dismissed Campbell's case on Thursday, saying Campbell failed to show why she should have a right to her husband's lottery winnings, the Miami Herald reported. Campbell and her lawyer have 20 days to amend the complaint.

Updated at 4:58 p.m. May 15 to include coverage of Thursday's court date.

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Posted by msg - 1 month, 3 weeks, 2 days, 11 hours, 42 minutes ago

She should divorce the evil bastard!
Posted by Ellen Barshevsky - 1 month, 3 weeks, 1 day, 13 hours, 47 minutes ago

If she divorces him, there is no guarantee she will collect the bucks over time. I say she stays with him and makes sure she gets “paid” for being there. After all, loss of consortium can cost money. There’s no evidence the hubby doesn’t still want to have sex with his wife; just that he doesn’t want to pay her money
Posted by msg - 1 month, 3 weeks, 1 day, 5 hours, 6 minutes ago

Loss of consortium is a tort claim - she doesn’t have a tortious claim against him - this is a domestic matter you dorf! In a divorce in most states she is presumed to get 50% of all the assets!
Posted by Li Yuan - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 14 hours, 13 minutes ago

Woman should get 50% of assets, including winning lottery ticket. After all, fshe give sex to husband free for years of marriage. Only fair that husband pay for sex from her and now he get new woman for sex with money.
Posted by Al Dorman - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 13 hours, 44 minutes ago

I question why she even married the guy in the first place. Thnk how many years she was known as Mrs. RAMDASS. She is only getting what might be expected from her loving hubby, Mr. RAMDASS. He now has money so he can RAMDASS some other lovely babe.. I say caveat KEESTER!
Posted by T. - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 12 hours, 24 minutes ago

I’m not certain if Florida is a commnity property state. But, even if it is, the husband can make a seperate property claim if he can adequately trace the funds that were used to purchase the ticket. Say he uses the dollar for dollar method, and proves that the buck he used for the ticket (or nickels, or dimes, etc.) came from his seperate estate...he can argue that his plan was to place those (mutated) funds back into his seperate account once they are received.

There’s a slim to nil chance that he can trace the funds; but, it would be a fun case to argue.
Posted by Jas - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 11 hours, 54 minutes ago

Li Yuan, are you saying that all Wives are just whores?
Posted by Diamond Jim - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 11 hours, 15 minutes ago

When his loyal spouse gets one-half his money his condition will match his last name.
Posted by Criminal Defense Law Center - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 11 hours, 13 minutes ago

Is she divorcing him over the money or because he was so stupid as to believe he could keep the information from her?
Posted by taxman - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 10 hours, 42 minutes ago

In reply to #9, yes.

;-)
Posted by Scott - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 10 hours, 5 minutes ago

Unless he can show the tickets were purchased from separate property he will have to give up 50%. I imagine it will be difficult for him to show that the ticket was purchased from separate funds not mingled with his community assets (ie his paycheck). What a lovely guy!
Posted by Greg Brady - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 9 hours, 37 minutes ago

He was the one working and earning their living, she doesn’t deserve one penny of the money. She’s probably ugly and that’s why she had to stay in the house. He should keep it all for himself and kick her to the curb.
Posted by Heather - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 8 hours, 37 minutes ago

I can’t believe how big a deal this apparently is to everyone… we’re talking about her share being $300k—that’s likely less than $200k (net taxes and attorney fees). Who is nuts enough to put themselves through at that for a ONE-SHOT payment of less than $200k?!
Posted by Kristy - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 8 hours, 36 minutes ago

He forbade her to watch TV? That’s the best part of staying at home! A person can only do so much laundry.
Posted by JR - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 8 hours, 30 minutes ago

These are lawyers posting these comments? If so, it is a sad commentary on the state of our profession.
Posted by Jim - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 8 hours, 26 minutes ago

He “forbade” her to watch TV? Sounds like a solid marriage right there....
Posted by Peepin Tom - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 8 hours, 23 minutes ago

#13--You are the one who is nuts if you don’t understand that to many people over $100k is alot of money. Get over yourself.
Posted by MPC - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 6 hours, 56 minutes ago

I think she might have to divorce him to establish a claim. Even assuming that FL is a community property state and assuming that the lottery ticket was paid for with from the marriage’s shared assets, I am aware of no legal obligation on the husband to share winnings with his wife when they remain married. As long as they remain married they could keep their winnings and loses confidential and, unless there is some other cause of action available, there would be no remedy available for the aggrieved partner.
Posted by realist - 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 2 hours, 54 minutes ago

Good grief! Why is this in the ABA newsletter?

Post it when it is a final ruling. Sounds like these people are trying to fight their marital fights in the courts.
Posted by R - 1 month, 2 weeks, 2 days, 10 hours, 32 minutes ago

I’m with #15. Disgusting.

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