$245 million Powerball ticket sold in Staten Island, New York; but where the hell is the winner?
Saturday night's $245.6 million Powerball jackpot went to an unnamed winning ticket holder who purchased it at a Stop & Shop on Staten Island. The lucky numbers were randomly generated by a computer into a Quick Pick ticket, according to lottery officials. Whoever purchased a ticket at the Stop & Shop at 2754 Hylan Blvd. in New Dorp is advised to check and see if they are the lucky winner. According to CBS News, the winning numbers from Saturday’s drawing are 05 43 56 62 68, Powerball 24, powerplay x2.
That said, the manager at the supermarket couldn't digest the fact that the big ticket was sold at his outlet. “No one notified me before I came in so I was like… what’s going on here? Now it’s exciting, feels good the store sold the winning ticket,” said manager Larry DiAntonio. “Hopefully it’s someone on Staten Island. I live on Staten Island, hopefully, it’s someone I know.”
The idea that someone they possibly knew won a monumental lottery was intriguing to local residents in the area. In a conversation with CBS2's Clark Fouraker, New Dorp’s Fred Demant said, “Nah, I can't believe it. I’m in shock. He just told me, ya know.”
“There’s a store over there people usually go to. I’ve played over there, I’ve played here. That’s great. I’m happy for them. I’m next!” Bob Brown added.
According to Montana Herrera, who works at the lottery desk at the Stop & Shop, it was busier than usual on Sunday morning when the tickets were being sold.
“Most of the people that come here are regulars, so everyone is like ‘who won? Do you know who won?'” Herrera said. “We’ll see more in the afternoon, I think, when people start to wake up and check the news.”
According to federal law, a 25 percent federal tax is applied to the winning amount in addition to state and city taxes, if the winner chooses to take the lump sum option.
After cutting the peripheral expenses, the winner would be walking away with an estimated $147,844,558.62.
While lawyers say winners can place their money in a trust which can be represented by an attorney for the sake of privacy, New York State law requires the winner to come forward and claim their money. Having said that, when CBS2’s Fouraker spoke with various lottery players, they had differing opinions on how to best spend their winnings. “Pay off my house. Pay off my college debt. Pay off my kids’ college debt — and then travel,” resident Linda Bond said.
The second prize of $1 million was also sold in a ticket to someone in Georgia, according to reports.