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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Home -> Forums -> Lottery News -> Oregon businessman has record Powerball lottery ticket Oregon businessman has record Powerball lottery ticket Powerball: Oregon businessman has record Powerball lottery ticketSteve West of Medford, Oregon, is a wealthy, wealthy man. West, a self-employed businessman, confirmed to ABC News that he and three other family members are the owners of the winning Powerball ticket worth $340 million. "I still don't really believe that it's true," West told ABC News Radio. "It just really hasn't sunk in well. I'm told by everybody else that this is a life-changing situation, and I didn't plan on wanting to change that much. I mean, the money always sounded great, but I didn't want to change my lifestyle to go along with it." West discovered he'd won when family members checked the numbers online. "We didn't watch the Powerball drawing," he said. "We got a call … from the other family members saying, 'I can't believe it, some of these numbers are matching.' And then she (a relative) started saying, 'All these numbers are matching.' And we thought, 'Wow.'" "She couldn't believe they were matching, and she could hardly talk," West said. "She was just so panicked. And my wife was talking to her. And it was pandemonium — I guess was the way to say it." First-Time Player The family had bought $40 worth of tickets, West said. "We went over and looked at the ticket, verified that it's a correct ticket … and just haven't slept well the last two nights," he said. Talk about luck: It was the first time West ever played Powerball. He said he won't do anything crazy with the money, though. "Of course, everybody dreams of winning the lottery, but I've never really made plans of what I would buy, because it never went that in-depth," he said. "We're talking to our financial planner Tuesday and we're probably going to invest all of it — or 99 percent of it," he added. "That'll still leave us a good small amount that we can take a vacation or buy some kind of a sports car." For now, West will keep his day job, which he is refusing to disclose. "I'm self-employed, and I still have been out to work yesterday," he said, "and I'm still going out today." ABC News We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 50 comments. Last comment 6 years ago by . mid-Ohio United States Member #9 March 24, 2001 13460 Posts Offline | | Posted: October 21, 2005, 1:24 pm - IP Logged | |
Jack Whittaker was a self-employed businessman too. May be I'll get lucky if I start a business. * THat which happens most *
* is most likely to happen again * 
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Atlanta, GA United States Member #1288 March 13, 2003 3316 Posts Offline | | Posted: October 21, 2005, 1:58 pm - IP Logged | |
First time player ...... had a winning mindset .....  Congratulations to all!!
 Good luck to everyone!
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MD United States Member #1735 June 18, 2003 7059 Posts Offline | | Posted: October 21, 2005, 2:00 pm - IP Logged | |
Quote: He said he won't do anything crazy with the money, though. and We're talking to our financial planner Tuesday and we're probably going to invest all of it — or 99 percent of it," Yea that sounds real intelligent the stock market is doing so poorly that he just might end up owing money if it were to crash. It kills me when people make rash decisions.... a quater or possibly half of the winnings but not all. Big money makes some people brain dead I think. I hope he re thinks that idea.
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United States
Member #380
June 5, 2002
11296 Posts
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| | Posted: October 21, 2005, 2:04 pm - IP Logged | |
Good for him. As long as he chooses cash. I wonder if he played OR Lose for Life. | | |
Greenwich, CT United States Member #4879 May 24, 2004 1822 Posts Offline | | Posted: October 21, 2005, 2:08 pm - IP Logged | |
Quote: He said he won't do anything crazy with the money, though. and We're talking to our financial planner Tuesday and we're probably going to invest all of it — or 99 percent of it," Yea that sounds real intelligent the stock market is doing so poorly that he just might end up owing money if it were to crash. It kills me when people make rash decisions.... a quater or possibly half of the winnings but not all. Big money makes some people brain dead I think. I hope he re thinks that idea.
Investing doesn't have to mean throwing it all into the stock market. You can invest in houses, other countries....diversification. | | |
Englewood, Colorado United States Member #19425 July 25, 2005 51 Posts Offline | | Posted: October 21, 2005, 2:13 pm - IP Logged | |
How ironic! The big jackpots attract a lot of first time players and, sure enough, one of them hits it. It ain't fair, dammit!!!!
Congratulations Mr. West.
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United States Member #11779 February 17, 2005 24 Posts Offline | | Posted: October 21, 2005, 2:20 pm - IP Logged | |
Businessman . . . . . . hmmm . . . . .sounds like this guy may have been doing okay already. I guess I'm always more partial to that maid or the school teacher. But anyway best wishes to them. Heck, think I'll start a business too RJ. | | |
United States
Member #24361
October 19, 2005
17 Posts
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| | Posted: October 21, 2005, 2:54 pm - IP Logged | |
Businessman . . . . . . hmmm . . . . .sounds like this guy may have been doing okay already. I guess I'm always more partial to that maid or the school teacher. But anyway best wishes to them. Heck, think I'll start a business too RJ. exactly!!! like i said. he doesn't need all of that money | | |
Coastal Georgia United States Member #2703 October 30, 2003 1867 Posts Offline | | Posted: October 21, 2005, 3:09 pm - IP Logged | |
Always the first time players, or the random ones- I bet he went into the store and asked the clerk "exactly how does one play this " ? should we back off from playing so much ? If it's your time, it's your time......... DD | | |
United States
Member #16902
June 2, 2005
3493 Posts
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| | Posted: October 21, 2005, 3:36 pm - IP Logged | |
I hope the Oregon businessman doesn't flop and have problems like Jake Whittaker three years ago. They're so lucky that they didn't play until now! I agree that he should choose cash option because problems may occur if he took payments.
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New Member
Louisville,KY United States Member #24044 October 15, 2005 45 Posts Offline | | Posted: October 21, 2005, 3:54 pm - IP Logged | |
Well let's just hope he doesn't become another Jack. This guy had problems LOL | | |
United States Member #15415 May 10, 2005 369 Posts Offline | | Posted: October 21, 2005, 4:04 pm - IP Logged | |
Congrats to the West family! 
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United States Member #24723 October 21, 2005 618 Posts Offline | | Posted: October 21, 2005, 5:33 pm - IP Logged | |
My, My. A first time player . A funny thing happened to me when I was going to play the Powerball Drawing December 2002. I knew that the winner would be drawn that drawing, but my car broke down and I knew that this drawing would yield a winner(s) but I did not have time to take off from work to drive to Louisiana (the closest Powerball state to Alabama). No need, I did not win. I just hope that the West Family will be wise and not think that the money can buy them happiness. If they have children, they need to know the value of work! The extra money is just insurance. Insurance that I would like to have. Well, I guess I will just have to travel to Georgia for the Mega Millions...that jackpot is growing. Two strikes on the Powerball. And not one of those Lotto Prediction Tools selected the Powerball winning numbers! Hmmmm....! It is just random luck-no strategy. | | |
USA United States Member #1883 July 15, 2003 265 Posts Offline | | Posted: October 21, 2005, 5:38 pm - IP Logged | |
It wierd, it always seems like the biggest jackpots are won by people with the most money. I mean we see stories on both sides but if this guy is investing 99%, he is well to do already which to my guess is not 99% of the population in here. Congrat's Mr. West. | | |
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