The seven Mega Millions winners
The New York Lottery this morning introduced the "lucky seven" who won bought the winning $319 million Mega Millions ticket at Coulson's in downtown Albany -- they're all co-workers at the the New York Division of Housing and Community Renewal:
- John Hilton, 57, of North Greenbush
- Gabrielle Mahar, 29, of Colonie
- John Kutey, 54, of Green Island
- Tracy Sussman, 41, of Colonie
- Mike Barth, 63, of Bethlehem
- Kristin Baldwin, 42, of Clifton Park
- Leon Peck, 62, of Johnstown
Barth bought the winning ticket -- a computer-generated "quick pick" ticket that he says he almost missed out on:
"I was at the counter. It was my turn to buy a ticket when I reached down to grab a Snickers bar from the candy display and someone reached over me, actually cut in front of me to buy a ticket. I thought about saying something but decided to just let it slide. I bought the next ticket...the winning ticket."
The group has chosen to take the lump sum -- $202,797,203. They'll each get about $19 million after taxes. Among the winners' plans for the money: a new dishwasher.
Earlier:
+ The guy who reportedly didn't join the pool because he wasn't feeling lucky
+ Not so lucky: the Schenectady couple who won a million dollars -- and ended up bankrupt and in prison.
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Comments
I loved when journalists were tweeting the names as they were announced. It was all VERY Wonka Bar/Golden Ticket.
... said SiobhanGK on Mar 31, 2011 at 1:36 PM | link
If I was 29 and just won $19 million, I wouldn't be buying a new dishwasher! I'd be booking world travel and setting myself up for a life of leisure.
Anyone think they'll kick and $ to the guy who opted out at the last minute?
... said xina on Mar 31, 2011 at 1:39 PM | link
I'm 29 and to be honest a new dishwasher would be on my list. That is a girl after my own heart! She will probably still have alot of that money a few years from now whereas the "celebrity style" one likely will not. It's nice to see that.
... said Chrissy on Mar 31, 2011 at 2:21 PM | link
Wonder if the guy who cut in line realizes the consequences of his rudeness?
... said KM on Mar 31, 2011 at 3:11 PM | link
@KM: Let's hope. Jerks of the world, take notice.
... said Greg on Mar 31, 2011 at 3:16 PM | link
And imagine if it had been the other way around--if the line-cutter's ticket had been the winning one. Would have been a big price to pay for a moment of civility. It's gratifying that it worked out the way it did!
... said KM on Mar 31, 2011 at 3:33 PM | link
I'd like someone to actually comment on how lottery numbers are generated. Would the rude guy actually have received the winning numbers if he had waited his turn? Or do the machines generate the numbers based on some algorithm that includes random factors, in addition to external seeds from a lottery server or even a timestamp.
... said Erik on Mar 31, 2011 at 4:25 PM | link
Lesson learned from the Lucky Seven: I will never stop my husband again from buying a Snickers Bar.
... said abby on Mar 31, 2011 at 4:47 PM | link
Congratulations to all the winners. The word is now that the four guys will retire, but the three women are going back to their day jobs. I wonder how long that will last.
... said Ryan on Mar 31, 2011 at 5:15 PM | link
I'm considering buying 19.1 million Snickers bars and dumping them on that guy's doorstep. But I'm afraid that might be rubbing it in a bit too much.
... said AlbanyLottoWnnr on Mar 31, 2011 at 7:42 PM | link
My favorite part of this story is that these people totally REPRESENT...if I were charged with promoting my city or happened to represent state workers...I would totally point out that these are my peeps!!
... said jgalbany on Apr 2, 2011 at 9:57 AM | link
Jerks of the world take notice? We're not supposed to be nice because we expect to receive some reward. We're meant to be nice and polite because it is the right way to behave, and we presumably want to be treated the same way in return.
That aside, this is a great story.
... said Justin on Apr 2, 2011 at 6:26 PM | link
I sure hope they give that 8th guy a few bucks!!!!!
... said meli on Apr 7, 2011 at 5:44 PM | link