– A small town warehouse supervisor turned in one of three tickets splitting the world-record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot, and swiftly announced that he would take his money now, giving up hundreds of millions of dollars in the future.
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The law in their state says that the victor must come in person with the ticket in hand along with the identification of the person who bought it. They said they planned to go back to Tennessee after appearing on the show.
The family then reached out to a friend for financial advice and was put in touch with Joe Townsend, an estate planning and tax attorney in Memphis who had the idea for them to reveal themselves on TODAY. “Even though they want to be private after this is over, they want to let the public know they are the winners”.
Mr Robinson said that although he did not feel well, he bought the ticket at Naifeh’s Food Mart in the Memphis suburb of Munford at his wife’s request on Wednesday night, just hours before the drawing.
“CNN banged on my door and said ‘did you know your neighbors were the Powerball winner?’ and I said ‘you have got to be kidding”. Both plan to return to work Monday, they said.
A Pomona nurse identified by her employer as the victor of the record-breaking Powerball jackpot did not win, her family told ABC News.
Wednesday was a lucky night for Western Tennessee Powerball players, according to state lottery officials. Seven tickets winning $50,000 were sold in the state. “We want to enjoy a little bit of it but we want to invest it so our son and daughter will be okay”, John said. In order for the victor to claim prize, they must show up to a California Lottery office with the original ticket. No one has claimed that prize yet, said Michigan Lottery spokesman Jeff Holyfield. “They are responsible. They’ve always lived within their means”, said Cole, who owns an auto parts store in town”, Cole said.
For Kathryn, Thursday morning – the day after the big drawing – was just another day, she told lottery officials.
Robinson said he was scared after he learned that he won. “She also remembers talking to him and he bought four tickets, I believe for his children”, said Dana Naifeh.
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Residents were also curious to know who sold the winning ticket. “It felt great to be able to make that call”.
