SoCal family claims $112M Mega Millions lottery jackpot

May 19, 2007, 10:22 am (15 comments)

Mega Millions

A Southern California family claimed their winning ticket Wednesday in the $112 million Mega Millions lottery drawing.
Robert Stafford and his adult children, Robert Jr. and Cynthia, said they bought a $2 quick-pick ticket from a Hawthorne market for Friday night's drawing.

Their purchase became the fifth winning Mega Millions ticket sold in California.

"I'm just so excited, I'm happy. It's a dream come true," Cynthia Stafford said with a wide smile and a giggle.

The family chose to take a cash prize of approximately $67 million and split it, California Lottery officials said.

Cynthia Stafford said she planned to use some of the money to start college funds for four nieces and nephews she adopted after her youngest brother was killed in a car accident.

"I'm going to put it to good use," she said.

The winning numbers were 28, 30, 33, 48, and 54. The Mega Ball number was 25.

AP

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JackpotWanna's avatarJackpotWanna

WOW~~~ Only spend $2 = $112 million.  Dreams can come true.

 

Party

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

Congrats to the winners!!  In Florida only one person can claim the lottery prize.  AFAIK, if you split the prize, there is some heavy duty gift tax to pay.  A trust can be created, but then the prize needs to be claimed by the trust before any money exchanges hands.  I am not an accountant or an attorney, but I read a lot of stories where the winner says "I plan to buy my daughter a house" and similar statements and wonder if these people are aware of the stiff tax penalties.  I have no idea what the laws are in CA regarding lottery prizes, but gift tax is federal.  As always, comments by more knowledgable members (or those who are guessing too!) are welcome.

Still, let me win a jackpot and worry about sharing later.  Smiley

starchild_45's avatarstarchild_45

well my dream is over. i have to start dreaming again.

JackpotWanna's avatarJackpotWanna

Here is a video clip of winners.

 

http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_136214003.html

 

They are keeping their day jobs and helping friends in need. 

MADDOG10's avatarMADDOG10

Good for them...! I wish all works out for them as they become accustomed to their new lifestyle....

frbl

I'm always happy to see the jackpot won by a good person - the sister din't HAVE to raise her deceased brother's kids, after all.

 I know, plenty of not-so-nice people can and do win, too.  It's just that one gets the feeling that the money will get used to help a lot of people, not just the direct recipeint.

 

Though I hope she isn't truly "spoiling" the kids as she alluded to in one of the articles.

Just6ntlc

Congratulations to California and the Stafford family taking home cash value. I hope they don't have financial problems later in life.

KY Floyd's avatarKY Floyd

Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on May 19, 2007

Congrats to the winners!!  In Florida only one person can claim the lottery prize.  AFAIK, if you split the prize, there is some heavy duty gift tax to pay.  A trust can be created, but then the prize needs to be claimed by the trust before any money exchanges hands.  I am not an accountant or an attorney, but I read a lot of stories where the winner says "I plan to buy my daughter a house" and similar statements and wonder if these people are aware of the stiff tax penalties.  I have no idea what the laws are in CA regarding lottery prizes, but gift tax is federal.  As always, comments by more knowledgable members (or those who are guessing too!) are welcome.

Still, let me win a jackpot and worry about sharing later.  Smiley

How any given lottery makes payments and who owns the ticket are separate issues. Just because a particular lottery will only write a check to one person doesn't mean a ticket can't have multiple owners. Taxes are based on ownership of the ticket, which determines ownership of the prize.

If you give somebody a share of a $2 lottery ticket there are no gift tax implications since the value is well below the $12k threshold. The story suggests that the family bought the ticket jointly, and that everyone was therefore an equal owner.

MissNYC's avatarMissNYC

That's a perfect example of how you don't need to spend tons of money to win. Just believe in your dream, and it will come true :-)

wizeguy's avatarwizeguy

Another one for the QuikPick! Congrats to the lucky winners!

ambelamba

Quote: Originally posted by MissNYC on May 20, 2007

That's a perfect example of how you don't need to spend tons of money to win. Just believe in your dream, and it will come true :-)

Really? There are a lot of people who see lottery numbers in their dreams and never win the numbers. Heck, I saw six numbers and I know which one the mega number is. But I haven't win anything for last 5 months.

MegaWinner's avatarMegaWinner

Sounds like she was talking about the Secret/LOA.  Good for them both!  I hope they have fun with that dough!

bambini

Quote: Originally posted by ambelamba on May 21, 2007

Really? There are a lot of people who see lottery numbers in their dreams and never win the numbers. Heck, I saw six numbers and I know which one the mega number is. But I haven't win anything for last 5 months.

I can relate I had that happen to me played my dream numbers faithfully for 3 years, didn't win squat.  I haven't played "dream numbers" in almost two years and numbers haven't come up.

MissNYC's avatarMissNYC

Quote: Originally posted by ambelamba on May 21, 2007

Really? There are a lot of people who see lottery numbers in their dreams and never win the numbers. Heck, I saw six numbers and I know which one the mega number is. But I haven't win anything for last 5 months.

If you keep thinking like that, you will never win. Have you ever heard of the Law of Attraction?

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