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Anonymous $1.35 Billion Mega Millions Winner Set to Drop NDA Lawsuit Against Ex-Partner

By jili tutorial · September 19, 2026

Anonymous $1.35 Billion Mega Millions Winner Set to Drop NDA Lawsuit Against Ex-Partner

Overview of the Case

A man who won the $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot in 2023—and later sued the mother of his child for allegedly violating a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) by telling her family about the windfall—is now preparing to drop the case. The reason? If he proceeds, he will likely be forced to reveal his identity in open court. This legal twist has created what his attorneys describe as an unavoidable Catch-22.

Background: The Jackpot and the People Involved

In the world of lottery winners, anonymity is often prized above all else. The winner, identified only as “John Doe” in court documents, won one of the largest Mega Millions prizes in history. The defendant, referred to as “Sara Smith,” is the mother of their child. The pair had an NDA in place that purported to protect Doe’s safety and security—as well as that of Smith and their daughter—by preventing disclosure of the win.

What the Lawsuit Sought

Doe’s lawsuit against Smith had several demands:

The case, filed in 2023, quickly drew public attention because of the enormous sum involved and the unusual legal maneuver to keep the winner’s name secret.

The Custody Battle and Counterclaims

Smith’s legal team, however, painted a very different picture. They argued that Smith had not violated the NDA at all. Instead, they claimed the lawsuit was a pressure tactic related to an ongoing custody battle over the couple’s child. According to Smith, Doe had hired a private security team that followed her and their daughter on a daily basis—an action she described as intrusive and threatening.

This custody context added a deeply personal dimension to what might otherwise appear to be a straightforward contract dispute.

The Court Ruling That Changed Everything

The case has dragged on for nearly three years. The critical turning point came in April 2025, when the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s decision denying Doe’s request for a closed trial.

The appellate panel agreed with the district court judge’s reasoning, stating that holding a closed trial would run “hard against the historic concept of what the courts are and what they are not in this country.” In other words, U.S. court proceedings are generally open to the public—a cornerstone of the justice system that cannot be waived simply because a litigant wishes to remain anonymous.

The Catch-22 for the Winner

Doe’s attorneys explained the predicament: even if he were to win his breach-of-NDA claims, the victory would come at the cost of revealing his identity and confidential information to the media and the public. That outcome would undermine the very purpose of the NDA: keeping his fortune and life private.

Faced with this impossible choice, Doe decided to drop the case.

What “Without Prejudice” Means—And Why It Matters

One of Smith’s attorneys, Peter Brann, told the Portland Press Herald this week that he intends to oppose the motion to dismiss because it was filed “without prejudice.” In legal terms, a dismissal without prejudice allows the plaintiff to refile the same lawsuit later. Brann argued that this means Doe could simply turn around and file another “baseless lawsuit” against Smith at any time.

This procedural detail is significant: it means the case might not truly be over unless the court dismisses it with prejudice (which would bar refiling) or the parties reach a binding settlement.

Broader Implications for Lottery Winners and NDAs

This case highlights several important issues for high-profile lottery winners and anyone who uses NDAs to protect sensitive information:

Similar cases have occurred in other states. For example, a New Hampshire lottery winner once sued a friend for disclosing the win after signing an NDA, but that case was also settled quietly. The legal landscape varies state by state; some jurisdictions allow winners to claim prizes via a trust or LLC to maintain anonymity without relying on NDAs.

What’s Next in the Mega Millions World

Meanwhile, Mega Millions continues to generate headlines. As of this week’s draw, the newest jackpot has climbed to $244 million. While that sum is far smaller than the $1.35 billion prize in this case, it serves as a reminder that lottery fortunes—and the legal battles they can spark—are never far from the news.

Conclusion

The anonymous winner’s decision to drop the NDA lawsuit may bring an end to this particular chapter, but it leaves open questions about the balance between privacy rights and public access to the courts. For others who dream of hitting the jackpot, the lesson is clear: winning enormous wealth does not guarantee the ability to control every detail of your story, especially when that story becomes part of a courtroom drama.