On July 5, 2013, Richard Anthony Zelasko, of Pontiac in Michigan, won $80 million playing Michigan lottery’s Mega Millions. After taxes and deductions, his winnings amounted to about $38,873,628. It also happens that Rick was in the middle of a divorce when he struck the $80 million Mega Millions jackpot. So, a divorce decree has ordered him to share the winnings with his ex-wife.
According to court documents, Zelasko bought a Mega Millions winning ticket in 2013. However, at the time he and his wife had already been separated for two years. Yet, legally they were still married. Their divorce wasn’t finalized until 2018.
In the court filing, Rich Zelasko’s attorney reasoned with the court saying, Rich was the lucky one. And it was his luck, not Mary Elizabeth Zelasko’s, that produced the lottery proceeds. But arbitrator John Mills said the ticket was marital property.
Thus, the judge in the case ruled that even though the two weren’t together, the $80 million jackpot win is still legally considered marital property. Marital property is defined as all positions acquired during the course of a marriage.
So, Rich Zelasko technically lost the case. But, in the end, he still walked away roughly $19 million. Not too bad for a single man.
Play Michigan Lottery draw games and you could be the next instant millionaire.
About Mega Millions
Mega Millions drawings take place each Tuesday and Friday evening. Each Mega Millions play is only $2. For an additional $1 per play, players have the opportunity to add a “Megaplier” that can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to five times. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Mega Millions tickets may be purchased online at MichiganLottery.com and at all lottery’s 10,500 retailers around the state until 10:45 p.m. the day of the drawing.
