A Florida financial-services firm employee and a Henrico County dental-clinic worker came forward Monday to claim a $44 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot.
Dan Franks, who lives in the Tampa Bay, Fla., area, and Kimberly Swanson chose to take a lump sum payment of $25.3 million rather than annual payments of $1.69 million for 26 years. After taxes, each will pocket about $7 million.
"We are just your average hardworking people," Franks, a former Chesterfield County resident, said at a news conference.
The couple did not say what they plan to do with their millions. Their lawyer, William H. Shewmake, said Franks and Swanson — headed to the airport and an undisclosed location — had taken steps to manage their new wealth before going public.
Will they quit work now that they are millionaires?
"We enjoy our jobs," Franks said.
The couple purchased the winning ticket, beating 1-in-176 million odds, at a Henrico County gasoline station and convenience store on Memorial Day. The winning numbers were 2-24-44-51-54 and Mega Ball 7.
