17 September 2023 , 08:29
1021
0
A husband and wife who dreamed of winning the lottery suffered a £20million Powerball lotter curse after their life "turned cold" following the huge win.
Connie Parker, 74, from New York, had been married to husband Kenneth, 77, for 16 years when they landed the life-changing jackpot in February, 2003. However, Kenneth was soon shocked to find out the Powerball win did not involve him after he was kicked out of their flat.
She refused to give him any of the £20millin ($25million) winnings and instantly cut any contact with her husband, with Kenneth claiming she used underhand tactics to take the money into an account she controlled.
Kenneth believed his wife did this so his children from a previous marriage would not be able to get their hands on some of the prize. He decided to divorce her and filed a motion in Suffolk County Court for his half of the jackpot.
For all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US
Woman was 'adamant' she would win top lottery prize - then pockets $200,000
Connie and Kenneth Parker had been married for 16 years (Handout)He told reporters at the time: “I feel betrayed. I couldn’t believe she was doing this to me. I’m still bitter I loved her.” The pair had married in 1987 and Kenneth had five children with his previous wife, and Connie had three. They were not well-off and constantly bought lottery tickets in the hope that one day they would hit the jackpot.
And on February 12, they won with a ticket bought at Massapequa Mall. “We were going to buy a new condo and a new car – enjoy the rest of our lives and travel,” Kenneth said.
The husband claimed he gave his wife $20 to buy the winning ticket (Getty Images)However, things started to go downhill after Kenneth claimed Connie tried to take the money at the lottery headquarters by signing the ticket alone. The concerned estranged husband questioned why she wanted to sign it alone, but a lottery official confirmed it wouldn't be a problem as they were married.
Just a few months later, the couple purchased a condo but Kenneth was stunned to find out only her name was on the paperwork. His suspicions grew when she put the money into account to which he had no access.
And in June that year, he claimed she locked him out of the condo. “She had a chance to at least give me half,” Kenneth said. “She left me to fend for myself. I had to go and live with my son.”
Kenneth claimed in court that he gave his wife $20 to buy the lottery ticket and is entitled to half of the winnings.
However, Connie's lawyers hit back and released a statement her husband’s allegations a “mischaracterisation” of the facts and that she was “anguished” by his allegations.