Jan 15, 2024

“Tragic lotto stories”: Older man sues daughter, says he was ‘coerced’ to gift large sum

Untitled design - 2024-01-15T140347.135
More than likely, you’ve heard horror stories of families being destroyed over lottery winnings. [Source: News.com.au]

Two Queensland siblings wish their 92-year-old father never had his almost $1 million lottery win as their family has since been destroyed by a long court battle, instigated by the patriarch, to recuperate gifted money that he allegedly handed over under duress. 

William Bampton, 92, won $986,212.30 on the Tattslotto Golden Casket in March 2018 and put down a $50,000 deposit on a new house for his son Larry Bampton, 66. He then paid off the remaining $505,000 on the Mountain Creek home a week later, making him co-own the home with his son. 

But almost six months later, Mr Bampton claims to have argued with his 69-year-old daughter Suzanne Elaine Vourlides, to whom he planned to give no money due to gripes with her husband, Jim. As a result of the argument, the 92-year-old alleged he felt “overwhelmed” and had no other options but to give $300,000 to his daughter.

Facing the District Court of Queensland in December 2023, Judge Suzanne Sheridan said a lot of evidence was provided to the court by both parties but dismissed any allegations of Ms Vourlides bullying her father into gifting her money. 

Untitled design - 2024-01-15T140009.525
William (left) and Larry (right) Bampton. [Source: Facebook]

Court documents stated Mr Bampton did not have a dementia diagnosis for the purpose of the hearing and “Mrs Vourlides’ case is that her father gifted to her the sum of $300,000 at his own instigation and in the exercise of his own free will.” 

Larry Bampton told The Courier Mail that his father no longer talks to him and wished the money had never come into their lives.

“The worst thing that ever happened was that he won the million dollars,” he said.

“One of the tragic lotto stories, I think.” 

About the case, Mrs Vourlides also told The Courier Mail that “the whole thing is terrible”, she was “over it” because it has “destroyed people’s lives.”

Mr Bampton has said there is no money from the lotto wins left and he intended to appeal the court’s decision.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Dr Harry Cooper rejects retirement to remain a beloved TV animal whisperer

At almost 80-years-old, Australia’s favourite television vet, Doctor Harry Cooper, has no plans to stop tending to our furry friends. Read More

3 ways to help the elderly cope with grief and loss

And while older people may have had more experience dealing with losses, losing a child, a spouse, or even their home can leave the elderly devastated. Read More

Do we ‘move on’ from grief, or does it stay with us?

Grieving for a loved one can be almost unbearably painful. At times, it may even feel as though we will never recover. And yet, death and loss are a part of life, and so the profound feelings that accompany them are, in many ways, inevitable. But just as loss is an inevitability, so too it our ability... Read More
Advertisement