The nation is buzzing over three wealth managers who claimed a winning $254 million lottery ticket as another example of the rich getting richer. Now the winners say they will donate $1 million to charity. INSIDE EDITION has the latest.
The three wealthy bankers who won a record Powerball jackpot say they're giving away $1 million. The trio say the money will go to several veterans organizations next week calling it "The first stop on a journey of philanthropy in the months and years to come."
The promise of a multi-million dollar giveaway comes amid a firestorm of envy and scorn over their lottery win. Even the women of The View agreed for once.
Whoopi Goldberg said, "There's no doubt about it, a lot of people are pissed because three wealthy guys made some more money in the lottery."
Elisabeth Hasselbeck said, "There's a difference between being pissed and being not happy for someone. People are pissed."
There was also envy on the streets in their hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut.
"I wish it were me. That's the only thing," said one resident.
"The rich just keep on getting richer," said another resident.
But 20/20 co-anchor Chris Cuomo is siding with the bankers, tweeting: "Are we really becoming anti-success in America? They don't 'deserve' to win?"
Meanwhile, mystery continues swirling over reports that the three bankers are front men for the real winner, who wants his identity to be kept secret. In a statement, the three insist that they are not acting for some mysterious "Mr. Big."
"To be clear...There is no anonymous fourth participant," a spokesman said.
But a published report says police officers in Greenwich told a citizen's committee that the three admitted they were not the real winners.
Neil Vigdor from Greenwich Time told INSIDE EDITION, "It's spreading like wildfire in town among people who are credible that they are not the winners. Some have even said that they have been told firsthand by these three that they are not the winners."
Banker Tim Davidson says he bought the winning ticket at a gas station. Surveillance video from the store could verify his story but the tapes were erased before the bankers came forward.
"There is still great skepticism that they are indeed the actual winners," said Vigdor.
