N.J. may let lottery winners stay out of the limelight

Lottery jackpot winners in New Jersey could obtain a degree of anonymity under a bill being considered by lawmakers.

 No one voted against it when the New Jersey Assembly passed the measure that would allow the name of a lottery winner not to be disclosed to the public for a year.

Assemblyman John Burzichelli, the bill’s primary sponsor, says it would prevent winners from being overrun by people giving advice on how to spend the new-found wealth.

“It’s not going to be a real secret. Immediate family and friends will still be knocking on the door asking for the new car and it’s time to buy me a house I would think,” he said. “You’re going to have a lot of new friends, and if you never had anything and suddenly have all of this, you’re not necessarily going to be in a position to sort everything out.”

Burzichelli, D-Gloucester, says state taxation officials will know who the winners are so keeping their names from the public should not raise concerns about transparency.