Right now, if you win a multi-million dollar lottery jackpot in Kentucky, our open records law says your name must be available to anyone who asks for it.
But a couple of state representatives are co-sponsoring an amendment to our lottery statute that would change that, allowing winners of mega-jackpots to keep their identities secret.
I can see why this is a tempting idea. Big money winners are undoubtedly bombarded by unwanted communications from long-forgotten acquaintances, third cousins they've never heard of, scam artists and virtually anyone with something to sell.
Privacy - at least in the short term - probably becomes non-existent. And security isn't a small consideration either.
But I still think the idea of hiding the identities of winners is a bad one. When the government is distributing the kinds of big money the Lottery does, the last thing you want is any possible hint of chicanery. And while I certainly believe the Kentucky Lottery is 100% honest, there's no reason to give anyone - especially lottery opponents -- a reason to suspect otherwise.
Besides, winners who really want to maintain their privacy can undoubtedly make that a lot easier by retaining a good attorney to handle their affairs before cashing any ticket.
And I'm pretty sure affording one wouldn't be a problem.
I'm Bill Lamb, and that's my...Point of View.
