POOR JACK'S BACK, "POOR"

(01/13/2007)
Record Powerball winner Jack Whittaker says thieves have cleaned out his bank accounts, claiming he's broke.

Whittaker won about $315 million dollars in 2002, taking his winnings in a lump sum - $113 million after taxes.

The Herald has followed Whittaker's comings and goings these past four years, unfortunately most of them have been tragic.

The latest lawsuit against the winner quotes a faxed note sent to Kitti French's lawyer. Whittaker claims a team of crooks cashed checks in September at 12 City National banks, He says they "got all my money."

Whittaker had agreed to pay French an undisclosed sum for a personal injury claim. French charged him with physically assaulting her while she worked at Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center in Nitro.

City National's Executive Vice President Craig Stilwell says the bank is investigating some small discrepancies in Whittaker's accounts, declining to provide details of the investigation, citing privacy.

Whittaker's been plagued by lawsuits, thefts and several personal tragedies after he won the jackpot.

Read other Herald stories about his misfortunes by using SEARCH - Whittaker.