Lottery winner Ray Sobeski, who divorced his wife before telling her of his $30-million windfall, has reached an agreement on her request for support.
Sobeski divorced his wife Nynna Ionson before telling her about his winning ticket.
Ionson went to court looking for $9,000 a month in support payments plus $200,000 to cover court costs from her ex-husband. She reportedly suffers from back troubles and migraine headaches and is unable to work.
"She has been living beyond the poverty line and has been destitute," Ionson's lawyer, Alfred Mamo, said.
In court both sides reached an agreement on a motion of support, but lawyers would not say how much would be paid.
Leaving the court Sobeski told reporters he is pleased with the agreement.
"I agreed to it, so yes. … If I wasn't pleased with it I wouldn't agree," Sobeski said.
Mamo said the developments could be characterized as a truce in a love war.
"Obviously I would not have condoned any kind of an agreement that would not have had some benefit to my client," he said.
"I'm happy to see that we have at least a partial settlement on one aspect of this case."
In April of 2004 Sobeski came forward with a winning Lotto Super 7 ticket just a few days before it was set to expire and become worthless. He had kept the win secret for months.
However, a day after Sobeski picked up his prize, Ionson claimed she had been married to Sobeski when the winning ticket was purchased.
Ionson brought her ex-husband to court arguing she was entitled to half the winnings because the lottery draw happened long before their divorce was finalized.
A judge froze Sobeski's winnings pending a final court decision.
Wednesday's court agreement does not mark the end of the fight between Sobeski and Ionson. They will return to court in the new year.
In the meantime, Sobeski will go to the tropics for the holidays with his children from a previous marriage.
"I'm taking my kids to the Caribbean for Christmas and I'm taking them snowboarding after that, for their whole Christmas holidays," he said.
Ionson's lawyer said she wants to get back together with Sobeski.
"She still loves him and still wants to have a life with him," Mamo said.
With files from CTV's John Musselman and Denelle Balfour.
