Divorced Lottery Winner Raymond Sobeski - His Ex-Wife Settles For Her Share Of Money

In May of 2003, the Lotto Super 7 jackpot was $30 million. There was one winning ticket sold and, at that time, it was the single biggest lottery prize in Canadian history. The winner was expected to come forward shortly after the draw was held. Canadians wanted to know who the winner was. They waited... and waited... and waited. Canadian lottery prizes need to be claimed within one year. It was getting close to the one year deadline and still nobody claimed the prize. Then, 12 days before the ticket was set to expire, it was claimed by Raymond Sobeski. He finally got his money!

But what took so long? People play the lottery because they want to become instantly rich. Why would somebody wait almost a full year? Raymond Sobeski tried to explain why he took so long: "Due to the magnitude of it, I just wanted to make sure that I did everything right and try to remain calm about it." Ok, now we understand. Or do we? Might there have been an ulterior motive? Maybe so.

Raymond Sobeski had three ex-wives. Wendy Reid. Sherry Zylstra. Nynna Ionson. Perhaps he wanted to try his best to keep their hands off the money? Actually, he was married to wife number 3, Nynna Ionson, when he won the $30 million jackpot. By the time he claimed the money, they were divorced. Hmmm. Sounds fishy, doesn't it?

Nynna Ionson took Raymond Sobeski to court and sought half of his lottery fortune. In December of 2005, an agreement was reached but the terms were not disclosed.

***Note: The Super 7 lottery is retiring and is being replaced by Lotto Max and Maxmillions, with the first draw of the new lottery being on September 25, 2009.