The airline mechanic, 52, disconnected the phone line at home and forbade his stay-at-home wife, Donna Campbell, 48, to watch television, Campbell claims in a lawsuit. Eventually, however, she learned the truth: Ramdass, along with 16 other mechanics at Miami International Airport, had won a $19 million lottery jackpot. Split among the 17 workers, it amounted to a $600,000 lump-sum payday, before taxes, for each of them, reports the Miami Herald.

In her suit, Campbell claims Ramdass fraudulently conspired to conceal the lottery payout from her, and contends she is entitled to a 50 percent share of her husband’s take from the winning ticket because it was purchased with marital assets.

Once the lawsuit is resolved, the newspaper says, she plans to divorce him.

However, Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey temporarily dismissed Campbell’s case on Thursday, saying Campbell failed to show why she should have a right to her husband’s lottery winnings, the Miami Herald reported. Campbell and her lawyer have 20 days to amend the complaint.

Updated at 4:58 p.m. May 15 to include coverage of Thursday’s court date.

source abajournal