Holly Lahti, a 29 year old single mother of 2 girls, won $190 million in the lottery last week. She’s separated but not yet divorced from the man who put her in this state. Legal clusterfuck alert!
Upon learning from a reporter that his estranged wife was one of this country’s two big lotto winners, Josh Lahti remarked, “That’s awesome! Now I don’t have to pay child support.”
Josh was charged with domestic battery in 2003, on the day that this picture of Holly was taken. His rap sheet goes on-
In 2003, Josh Lahti was arrested for violating a no-contact order, and that charge was dismissed. He was also charged with second-degree kidnapping, possession of drug paraphernalia, domestic abuse, battery and false imprisonment. All but the kidnapping were dismissed. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years probation.
In 2000, he was charged with domestic violence, but the charge was reduced to disturbing the peace. He was also cited in 2001 for failing to make child support payments.
Idaho law states that divorce papers must be filed in order for a couple to be considered legally separated and Holly and Josh never filed them, which means they’re still married, which means Josh could still have a claim on Holly’s winnings, although experts don’t think Josh really has much of a case, and it would take some pretty big, stupid balls to claim anything from a woman he has, by all accounts, abused.
Since winning, Holly has opted to take a lump sum payment rather than a 25 year annuity. After federal and state taxes are taken out, she’ll receive a payment of about $80.6 million. She’s quit her job as a bank customer service representative, and her two daughters have gone underground and understandably haven’t been heard from since last Tuesday.
Mystery Surrounds Idaho Lottery Winner [Seattle PI]