Man Wins Lottery, Attacks Cop, Gets Jailed
When you win the Kentucky Powerball lottery and then get jailed for attacking a cop only 24 hours later, it’s time to think about yourself, your life, and your choices.
Last Monday, Kentucky’s luckiest (or unluckiest?) ticket-holders — mother Linda Grizzle and her son, Shannon James Farthing — claimed a staggering $167.3 million Powerball jackpot in Louisville, ending the state’s 14‑year drought for a top prize.
But before you dream of island getaways and diamond-encrusted bath fixtures, consider the real numbers.
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From $167 million to $77.3 million… before taxes
Grizzle and Farthing dashed to the Kentucky Lottery headquarters the following Monday and “wasted no time redeeming” their historic prize—even snapping the official photo-op to prove it.
They chose the lump-sum cash option of $77.3 million rather than 30 annual payments.
…and down to about $44 million in hand
Alas, Uncle Sam and Frankfort wanted their cut. A mandatory 24% federal withholding (~$18.6 million) comes off the top, and Kentucky’s roughly 5% state lottery tax siphons another chunk.
Industry estimates peg the winners’ take‑home at about $44 million—barely a quarter of the advertised jackpot.
So, over 120 million out of 167 million go to the state? From this European editor’s point of view, American lotteries are a scam.
Day 2: Lottery Winner Attacks Cop, Gets Jailed
Just 24 hours after that photo was taken, Shannon Farthing was cuffed at Florida’s TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach.
Police say he first punched a hotel guest, then kicked a deputy squarely in the face when the officer intervened.
He resisted arrest and is now facing charges including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, simple battery, and a parole violation.
A rap sheet fit for a cautionary tale
Farthing isn’t exactly a poster child for good behavior. Court records list convictions for tampering with evidence, organized‑crime involvement, drug offenses, theft, and receiving stolen property. In other words, if you’re planning a post‑lottery bender, you might want to leave the baton‐twirling and face‑kicking at home.
What Not to Do When You Win (Or, Why Someone Else Would’ve Been Better)
- Don’t celebrate by visiting a resort bar where your parole officer might drop by.
- Don’t pick fights, especially with hotel guests or helpless deputies.
- Don’t forget: cashing in the big one means paperwork, lawyers, and audio‐recorded sobriety tests.
- Do consider: a quiet retirement portfolio managed by pros — no brawling necessary.
Honestly, with that much money on the line, you’d think the winners could splurge on a vacation somewhere without a brawl on the itinerary. Someone with less of a criminal history — and half the impulse control — would probably have been a more deserving recipient.
You know how people sometimes ask, “if there’s a god, why do good things happen to bad people”? Somehow that question just popped up in my head.
Oh well, at least he’ll be able to post bail. Jackpot!
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