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Lottery Winner's Prison Sentence Delayed By Health

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 6, 2008

TAMPA - As she was about to report to federal prison last week, former lottery multimillionaire Rhoda Toth checked into a Pasco hospital with anxiety and panic attacks.

Toth was sentenced to two years in prison for filing false tax returns over several years with her husband, Alex, who is now deceased. The Hudson couple had won $13 million from the Florida Lotto in 1990 but became destitute after spending and gambling away all the money.

She wound up owing $1.1 million to the IRS.

She had asked to be spared prison on the grounds she has several medical problems, including multiple sclerosis. But a judge said prison medical officials could treat Toth's maladies.

Toth was scheduled to report Friday to Carswell Federal Medical Center in Texas. Her public defender, Donna Lee Elm, persuaded a judge to delay the deadline to Oct. 17.

According to court papers, Toth was admitted to Community Hospital in New Port Richey with panic attacks, anxiety, partial facial paralysis and confusion.

"She is currently undergoing testing and there is no discharge date scheduled at this time," Elm wrote.

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