Kentucky Lottery winner's legal saga takes another turn

Just months after becoming the winner of the largest lottery jackpot in Kentucky history, James Farthing is facing another legal setback. A Fayette County grand jury has now indicted the Powerball winner in connection with a 2025 crash, marking the latest chapter in a string of legal issues that have followed his record-breaking $167.3 million win. Here's what the new indictment alleges and where the case goes from here.

Grand jury issues new indictment

In this new indictment, dated July 6, 2026, the grand jury claims that Farthing was allegedly involved in a car crash on November 23, 2025, on Man O' War Boulevard. The grand jury accused him of endangering the life of the crash victim and failing to stop and see if anyone was hurt before leaving the scene.

On May 11, Farthing actually appeared in court for a preliminary hearing. He was being charged with wanton endangerment and leaving the scene of an accident while failing to render aid.

At that time, the case was waived to a grand jury. Now, the grand jury returned with an indictment on those charges.

During that same hearing on May 11, Farthing did get a legal win. As Lottery USA previously reported, the charges against Farthing for second-degree possession of marijuana and second-degree burglary stemming from his late March arrest were dropped with prejudice.

The victim in that case testified that she found the missing money, so the charges were dropped.

How it all started

In April 2025, Farthing won $167.3 million playing Powerball. This happened to be the biggest lottery win in Kentucky's history, so a big celebration was held at the check ceremony.

Then, just a few days later, Farthing was arrested in Florida and charged with assaulting a policeman. Farthing asked to serve the time in jail, so he waived his right to a probable cause hearing. He was scheduled for release from prison in August 2025.

In February 2026, police were called to a residence after a woman claimed someone at the house was armed and attempting to harm her. Police found a gun and marijuana inside the house. An investigation led to Farthing being charged with intimidating a participant in the legal process.

Court records also state that Farthing was on parole through August 2025. He was on parole for previous Kentucky charges, which included tampering with evidence, engaging in organized crime, drug charges, receiving stolen property, and theft by unlawful taking.

This is all added to the March 2026 arrest for possession of marijuana and burglary, for which the charges were dropped, and the November 2025 car crash.

Farthing is scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. on August 7 in Fayette Circuit Court. Judge Diane Minnifield will be presiding over the case.

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