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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Home -> Forums -> Lottery News -> Calif. Mega Millions lottery winner claims prize Calif. Mega Millions lottery winner claims prize California Lottery: Calif. Mega Millions lottery winner claims prizeThe winner of the $34 million Mega Millions jackpot has stepped forward. Thomas Thornton, a Coachella Valley resident, produced the winning ticket, Cathy Doyle Johnston, spokeswoman for the California Lottery, said this afternoon. Thornton chose the cash option and will receive a lump-sum payment of about $17 million before federal tax witholding. "I am stunned, shocked and excited," Thornton said a news release issued by the state Lottery. "I have worked hard all my life and will continue to do so, but this jackpot will allow me to lend a hand to members of my family in need of a little extra help and do many special things for my wife." Thornton bought the winning ticket at La Quinta Liquor and Deli in the La Quinta Cove. The store will receive $170,000 for selling the ticket. Thornton learned Monday night that someone in La Quinta had bought the winning ticket but retired to bed without checking his numbers, the release said. When he woke he checked the numbers on the Lottery's Web site and learned he had the winning combination of 27, 30, 36, 38, 45 and the Mega Ball number 13. Since Mega Millions began, there have been four Mega Millions jackpots won in California, including the historic $315 million jackpot won on November 15, 2005. California schools receive at least 34 percent of all lottery sales and have received more than $1 billion annually from the California State Lottery for the past five consecutive years, according to a news release from the state lottery. The Desert Sun 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. 13 comments. Last comment 6 years ago by . Stroudsburg, PA United States Member #1860 July 11, 2003 2642 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 21, 2006, 7:29 am - IP Logged | |
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North Brunswick NJ United States Member #39431 May 8, 2006 7542 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 21, 2006, 8:56 am - IP Logged | |
Thornton bought the winning ticket at La Quinta Liquor and Deli in the La Quinta Cove. The store will receive $170,000 for selling the ticket. Is there a difference in the amount of money receive in each states for selling a winning mega million ticket? | | |
United States Member #3331 January 7, 2004 148 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 21, 2006, 10:04 am - IP Logged | |
I like how he claimed his winnings fast, but not his saying that he will continue to work hard - foolish! oc- yes, there is a difference between the retailers' states. Some get only pennies, some millions! | | |
Raleigh, NC United States Member #41371 June 9, 2006 70 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 21, 2006, 10:17 am - IP Logged | |
I'm not sure I follow how working hard can be foolish.
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United States
Member #16902
June 2, 2005
3493 Posts
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That was very fast in terms of claiming the ticket. I hope Mr. Thorton doesn't have financial problems later in life like what Mr. Whitaker did in West Virginia. | | |
United States Member #15415 May 10, 2005 369 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 21, 2006, 12:20 pm - IP Logged | |
Congrats to the winner and his family! I'm surprised they did not give his age in the news article. The fact that he says he's going to continue working... I wonder if it's a family owned business? That would be the only reason I'd stay at a job with a win like that. I'd change jobs rather quickly to one that only involved researching worthwhile charities.  | | |
Raleigh, NC United States Member #41371 June 9, 2006 70 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 21, 2006, 12:45 pm - IP Logged | |
A winner’s name, city/county, and the prize amount is generally a matter of public record, but not age. The article didn't say he was going to stay at a job, quit a job, not quit a job, etc., just that he will work hard (at whatever he does). A perfect ambiguous quote; we can all learn something from his words in terms of addressing the press.
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United States Member #12856 March 18, 2005 2060 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 21, 2006, 12:55 pm - IP Logged | |
Congrats to Mr. Thorton. I hope everything works out for him.  Dance like no one is watching.
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Huntsville AL United States Member #16820 June 1, 2005 63 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 22, 2006, 8:17 am - IP Logged | |
The differance in the amount the store gets for selling the winning ticket is based on the amount of the jackpot, the store that sells the ticket gets like 1/2% of the jackpot. the store that sold the $315 million ticket got about $1 million WRONG!!!! Depends on state. There was a huge jackpot several years ago that had winners in IL and MI. One store got a millon the other 10,000.
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Magnolia, Delaware United States Member #19109 July 20, 2005 780 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 22, 2006, 10:15 am - IP Logged | |
So True hsvscubaski. It all depends on the state and what they decide to give the store for selling the winning ticket! That amount has already been set (unless it's Calif. because of the pari-mutuel payout) before that PB or MM state has their first game! It's $10,000.00 here in Delaware that the retailer gets! And I think that's a chicken s**t amount, it should be no less than $50,000.00 in any PB or MM state! Keep dreaming the impossible dream, it just may come true! Please remember to support Your Lottery Post Community. | | |
Atlantic Mine, Michigan United States Member #417 June 23, 2002 1606 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 23, 2006, 7:41 pm - IP Logged | |
Actually Michigan has a max retailer bonus of $2,000. You get two percent of anything you claim in your store up to a max of $100,000 (which would be $2,000) You also get two percent of all sales you make. (with some exceptions to the good) Finally it ends up being about 6% goes to retailers as commissions. (Almost $200,000,000 last year) Brad | | |
Bethesda, Maryland United States Member #17193 June 6, 2005 435 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 24, 2006, 1:57 pm - IP Logged | |
The differance in the amount the store gets for selling the winning ticket is based on the amount of the jackpot, the store that sells the ticket gets like 1/2% of the jackpot. the store that sold the $315 million ticket got about $1 million HAPPY SATURDAY...6/24/2006 YES....congrats to the winner & his family..they deserved to win.... I have (2) ???'s.... How come out of a $$$34mil jackpot,(no pun intended) he gets only $$17mill before, yes before taxes???...Why not more??? And, those numbers you chose....are they someone's B'days or Anniversary???? Inquiring minds need to know.. 
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Wandering Aimlessly United States Member #25708 November 5, 2005 4403 Posts Offline | | Posted: June 24, 2006, 7:45 pm - IP Logged | |
A winner’s name, city/county, and the prize amount is generally a matter of public record, but not age. I disagree. Every Florida Lottery press release includes the name and age of the winner. Just some examples: The Florida Lottery announced today FLORIDA LOTTO™ winner Kenneth Wittmer, 46, of Palm Coast, claimed the June 3 estimated $10 million FLORIDA LOTTO jackpot. The Florida Lottery announced today FLORIDA LOTTO™ winner William Anderson, 54, of Port St. Lucie, claimed his share of an estimated $82 million FLORIDA LOTTO jackpot. The Florida Lottery announced today FANTASY 5® winner Yolette Sicot, 37, of Miami, claimed the June 16, $276,057.91 FANTASY 5 jackpot. | | |
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