California Lottery investigating $1M payout

Aug 30, 2012, 2:58 pm (46 comments)

California Lottery

The California Lottery has not yet released $1 million that a Dinuba man reportedly won in a Scratcher game.

In late June Luis Osejo was identified as the new millionaire. He has yet to receive the money. Nor has the merchant who sold the winning ticket, Brain Park of Downtown Dinuba Market, received his $5,000 check from the Lottery.

Russ Lopez, deputy director for corporate communications with the California Lottery in Sacramento, verified that the winnings have not been paid because the Lottery's security law enforcement team is conducting an investigation.

"We're trying to do due diligence and get that money to the right person," said Lopez.

Henry Hernandez, district sales supervisor with the California Lottery, said, "There is an issue, but I can't share any information on that. There's an ongoing investigation with that particular ticket."

Hernandez said that every Lottery winner is asked a series of questions, and a background check is done to ensure that, for instance, no back taxes or child support payments are due. These would be taken out of the winnings.

It can take six to eight weeks to collect a Lottery win, said Hernandez.

It has been nine weeks since Osejo was announced as a Scratcher winner of $1 million.

When contacted by the Sentinel, Osejo refused to answer questions. He said only that the Sentinel "had the wrong information."

Dinuba Sentinel

Comments

nanaimo

well california lottery has to go their own investigation with a fine tooth comb and make sure that no one handed over the ticket to mr.luis osejo and in fact he is the original buyer of the ticket,if he is then no problem he will get the money

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

I'm hoping Luis Osejo gets his prize Smile I buy many tickets and from so many different places and I never check them immediately,

I check them every other sunday. That can be a problem if I went to claim a big prize and

they asked me when and where I bought the ticket and cannot remember Disapprove I hope the

stores cameras are not just fakes to keep away the hoodlums.

whiteballz's avatarwhiteballz

even if everything checks out, Osejo is never going to see a million dollars from the lottery. He's going to get $750,000 after 25% withholding and then pay another 10% in April. So it's $650,000 after federal income tax. Thankfully California doesn't have state income tax from lottery winnings.

JonnyBgood07's avatarJonnyBgood07

pffft..6 to eight weeks to get winnings????..that's pathetic

Cletu$2's avatarCletu$2

Caifornia is just checking to see if Mr.Osejo actually bought the ticket or is trying to claim the prize for someone else...like an illegal immigrant or someone else who isn't entitled to the money for some reason or other.

Littleoldlady's avatarLittleoldlady

An illegal immigrant can cash their own ticket.

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

Quote: Originally posted by Littleoldlady on Aug 30, 2012

An illegal immigrant can cash their own ticket.

That is very true. The lottery commissions are not going to send a message to the millions of illegal immigrants that if they gamble they won't collect.

The ratio of illegal immigrants who win pales in comparison with the ratio of those who never win and since they are already here, they might as

well help us pay this voluntary tax.Thumbs Up

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Aug 30, 2012

I'm hoping Luis Osejo gets his prize Smile I buy many tickets and from so many different places and I never check them immediately,

I check them every other sunday. That can be a problem if I went to claim a big prize and

they asked me when and where I bought the ticket and cannot remember Disapprove I hope the

stores cameras are not just fakes to keep away the hoodlums.

In my state the tix. have a retailer # ,but not the name,

Make a list of places you buy tix, w/retailer#

If you stop at a new place write store name on back of tix. when you sign it, also appx. time of buy.

when you get home add it to your list.

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Aug 30, 2012

That is very true. The lottery commissions are not going to send a message to the millions of illegal immigrants that if they gamble they won't collect.

The ratio of illegal immigrants who win pales in comparison with the ratio of those who never win and since they are already here, they might as

well help us pay this voluntary tax.Thumbs Up

Nowadays illegal immigrants have more rights and privileges than ever before.

Depending on their length of time in this country, they are able to work here legally, and apply for US citizenship.   Patriot

 

And of course as previous posters have stated, may legally claim a big fat lottery prize, and laugh all the way to the bank.   LOL

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

Quote: Originally posted by mcginnin56 on Aug 30, 2012

Nowadays illegal immigrants have more rights and privileges than ever before.

Depending on their length of time in this country, they are able to work here legally, and apply for US citizenship.   Patriot

 

And of course as previous posters have stated, may legally claim a big fat lottery prize, and laugh all the way to the bank.   LOL

Its crazy how indecisive the political parties are about illegal immigrants.

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on Aug 30, 2012

In my state the tix. have a retailer # ,but not the name,

Make a list of places you buy tix, w/retailer#

If you stop at a new place write store name on back of tix. when you sign it, also appx. time of buy.

when you get home add it to your list.

Good idea, I'll try that and if it doesnt work because of my personal weaknesses I'll just limit the places that I buy from to one.

x1kosmic's avatarx1kosmic

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Aug 30, 2012

Good idea, I'll try that and if it doesnt work because of my personal weaknesses I'll just limit the places that I buy from to one.

No  maringoman

      I thought that wherever you bought the ticket   ( any ticket ),

that where it was bought,,  is in the Bar -Code, ...or all those numbers on the side of the ticket

                                       They know when it gets scanned

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

Quote: Originally posted by x1kosmic on Aug 30, 2012

No  maringoman

      I thought that wherever you bought the ticket   ( any ticket ),

that where it was bought,,  is in the Bar -Code, ...or all those numbers on the side of the ticket

                                       They know when it gets scanned

What we're discussing is when you're used to buying your tickets at different random places and random times and one of them turns out to be a big winner and when you go to claim it at the main lottery offices and they ask you a series of security questions such as where did you buy that ticket and what date and time. I know I'd be stumped.

Cletu$2's avatarCletu$2

Quote: Originally posted by Littleoldlady on Aug 30, 2012

An illegal immigrant can cash their own ticket.

This is just a guess,but I'm guessing that some illegals are afraid that they would be sent back to where they came from if they tried to cash in a million dollar scratch off ticket.My own personal thinking is that they should be deported.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Aug 30, 2012

What we're discussing is when you're used to buying your tickets at different random places and random times and one of them turns out to be a big winner and when you go to claim it at the main lottery offices and they ask you a series of security questions such as where did you buy that ticket and what date and time. I know I'd be stumped.

Also if you buy anything else at the same place, gas, beer, soda,

 save receipts for those items w/ your tix. should have time of buy on there if bought w/credit card.

I can't take credit for this good idea,

some other LP er put that up, but can't remember who it was.

Been doing that since i read it.

grwurston's avatargrwurston

Here in Maryland the date and time of the ticket purchase are printed on the front of the ticket, also the terminal number and

some other numbers. The sequence number of the ticket is on the back. I would think all tickets would have this info.

gogidolim

 Too many people are benefitted from illegal immigants, including agricultral sector. Unfortunately they became an integral part of American economy. Unless some genius invents cheap robots that can replace menial workers, illegal immigrants will always be problems.

 Look at Japan. They are working on robotics because they don't want to accept any immigrants (foreigners) eventually.

tvboris's avatartvboris

Quote: Originally posted by gogidolim on Aug 30, 2012

 Too many people are benefitted from illegal immigants, including agricultral sector. Unfortunately they became an integral part of American economy. Unless some genius invents cheap robots that can replace menial workers, illegal immigrants will always be problems.

 Look at Japan. They are working on robotics because they don't want to accept any immigrants (foreigners) eventually.

If they don't want, they won't accept them regardless of anything. This reason for developing robotics goes somewhere to the very bottom of the list.

Trust me, the wages of illegal immigrant are way less then the cost of sopihsticated robot.

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

Quote: Originally posted by gogidolim on Aug 30, 2012

 Too many people are benefitted from illegal immigants, including agricultral sector. Unfortunately they became an integral part of American economy. Unless some genius invents cheap robots that can replace menial workers, illegal immigrants will always be problems.

 Look at Japan. They are working on robotics because they don't want to accept any immigrants (foreigners) eventually.

It'd be nice if they'd quit poopin' in the lettuce fields.

People are dying from ecoli and stuff.

Luckily, I don't eat much rabbit food my own self.

Nikkicute's avatarNikkicute

Quote: Originally posted by whiteballz on Aug 30, 2012

even if everything checks out, Osejo is never going to see a million dollars from the lottery. He's going to get $750,000 after 25% withholding and then pay another 10% in April. So it's $650,000 after federal income tax. Thankfully California doesn't have state income tax from lottery winnings.

If they don't have state income tax what is the 10% in AprilWhat?

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

Quote: Originally posted by Nikkicute on Aug 31, 2012

If they don't have state income tax what is the 10% in AprilWhat?

The state (lottery) withholds the first 25% for the feds and you have to give them the rest ( the other 10%) later.

Nikkicute's avatarNikkicute

Quote: Originally posted by rdgrnr on Aug 31, 2012

The state (lottery) withholds the first 25% for the feds and you have to give them the rest ( the other 10%) later.

So the Fed Tax is actually 35% ?


I live in Wisconsin:

Fed Tax 25%

State Tax 7.75% (April right?) I thought that was itWhat?

whiteballz's avatarwhiteballz

Quote: Originally posted by Nikkicute on Aug 31, 2012

So the Fed Tax is actually 35% ?


I live in Wisconsin:

Fed Tax 25%

State Tax 7.75% (April right?) I thought that was itWhat?

Federal Income Tax Brackets for 2012

Tax Bracket Married Filing Jointly Single
10% Bracket $0 – $17,400 $0 – $8,700
15% Bracket $17,400 – $70,700 $8,700 – $35,350
25% Bracket $70,700 – $142,700 $35,350 – $85,650
28% Bracket $142,700 – $217,450 $85,650 – $178,650
33% Bracket $217,450 – $388,350 $178,650 – $388,350
35% Bracket Over $388,350

Over $388,350


If you win a million dollars, you will obviously be in the 35% tax bracket. The entire 35% will not be due until April. Before you even get the check from the lottery office, 25% will be automatically taken out for tax withholding, so come April, you will most likely need to pay an additional 10% for federal income tax.

Keep in mind that chart above is for 2012. The Bush era tax cuts are set to expire at the end of 2012 and if they are not extended the highest tax bracket may go up from 35% all the way up to 39.6%.

Just be thankful you don't live in New Jersey. The state tax on lottery winnings is 10.75%. So lets say the Bush era tax cuts are not extended and you win a million dollars from the lottery in 2013 in New Jersey. You need to pay 39.6% for federal income tax and then pay 10.75% in state tax.

So you need to pay 50.35% tax on your winnings. The government will take more than half of the money!

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on Aug 30, 2012

Also if you buy anything else at the same place, gas, beer, soda,

 save receipts for those items w/ your tix. should have time of buy on there if bought w/credit card.

I can't take credit for this good idea,

some other LP er put that up, but can't remember who it was.

Been doing that since i read it.

your wasting your time hay, they not only know where you bought it they likely have video on security cameras.

If I get asked were i bought a tic..... i say......   mmmm I dun o.

Ronnie316

but then again, im not an illegal anything, and i don't owe taxes or child support.

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Aug 31, 2012

but then again, im not an illegal anything, and i don't owe taxes or child support.

That we know of.   LOL

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Aug 31, 2012

your wasting your time hay, they not only know where you bought it they likely have video on security cameras.

If I get asked were i bought a tic..... i say......   mmmm I dun o.

not wasteing time, while the attendant gases up my bad machine I'm getting tix. beer and snax, I pay they give me a receipt,

when I come out of the store my gas receipt is tucked in the door handle.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Aug 30, 2012

I'm hoping Luis Osejo gets his prize Smile I buy many tickets and from so many different places and I never check them immediately,

I check them every other sunday. That can be a problem if I went to claim a big prize and

they asked me when and where I bought the ticket and cannot remember Disapprove I hope the

stores cameras are not just fakes to keep away the hoodlums.

Nother thought on this,

If you can't remember where/when you bought the winner, but had losers from many other places,

they may have to accept that you just can't remember where/when you bought the winner.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by mcginnin56 on Aug 31, 2012

That we know of.   LOL

Yeah..... "That we know of"  Wink

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on Aug 31, 2012

not wasteing time, while the attendant gases up my bad machine I'm getting tix. beer and snax, I pay they give me a receipt,

when I come out of the store my gas receipt is tucked in the door handle.

WAIT........ you have an attenant pump gas??

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Aug 31, 2012

WAIT........ you have an attenant pump gas??

In jersey you're not permitted to pump your own,

I believe thats true for oregon also.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on Aug 31, 2012

In jersey you're not permitted to pump your own,

I believe thats true for oregon also.

WOW, amazing the things I had no idea about. If it wasnt for LP I would have no idea how stupid I am.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Aug 31, 2012

WOW, amazing the things I had no idea about. If it wasnt for LP I would have no idea how stupid I am.

did you purposly post that @ 3:16 ?   LOL

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on Aug 31, 2012

did you purposly post that @ 3:16 ?   LOL

LOL. no but strange coincidences seem to follow me. LOL.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Aug 31, 2012

LOL. no but strange coincidences seem to follow me. LOL.

time to convert that into lotteryluck,

oh well it's 5:00 somewhere.  Cheers

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on Aug 31, 2012

time to convert that into lotteryluck,

oh well it's 5:00 somewhere.  Cheers

Oh trust me on this one hay, Im workin on it like a mad man.

pickone4me's avatarpickone4me

I thought california was broke...Maybe that is why they are dragging there feet on pay out.

Cletu$2's avatarCletu$2

Quote: Originally posted by pickone4me on Sep 2, 2012

I thought california was broke...Maybe that is why they are dragging there feet on pay out.

I think you might have hit the nail on the head.

savagegoose's avatarsavagegoose

yeah well he prob onlt turned up with the one winning ticket. when asked what else did you buy that day from lotto. maybe said nothing.

 lotto would know exactly what scratchers where bought at the same time.  maybe once a week they see the same set of tickets bought . $10 worth, around 6pm.  maybe they still see thwe same set being bought today, yet this " winner " has no clue about it.

they're usually suspicious for a reason.

sully16's avatarsully16

Thats a very long time to wait for a payout, more to this story I'm sure.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by sully16 on Sep 3, 2012

Thats a very long time to wait for a payout, more to this story I'm sure.

My guess is, its a third party cashing the ticket.

jamella724

I feel so sad about what happened with Mr. Osejo.  The fact that he won the $1 million is really amazing.  I guess, he had his personal reasons of why he didn't answer some of the questions directed to him.  Sometimes, we refused to answer questions for personal reason.  I congratulate you in advance Mr. Osejo, soon they will award you your money.  Just pray hard.

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Sep 3, 2012

My guess is, its a third party cashing the ticket.

My guess is those guys working security need to look necessary if they want to keep their jobs.

Jill34786's avatarJill34786

Quote: Originally posted by whiteballz on Aug 31, 2012

Federal Income Tax Brackets for 2012

Tax Bracket Married Filing Jointly Single
10% Bracket $0 – $17,400 $0 – $8,700
15% Bracket $17,400 – $70,700 $8,700 – $35,350
25% Bracket $70,700 – $142,700 $35,350 – $85,650
28% Bracket $142,700 – $217,450 $85,650 – $178,650
33% Bracket $217,450 – $388,350 $178,650 – $388,350
35% Bracket Over $388,350

Over $388,350


If you win a million dollars, you will obviously be in the 35% tax bracket. The entire 35% will not be due until April. Before you even get the check from the lottery office, 25% will be automatically taken out for tax withholding, so come April, you will most likely need to pay an additional 10% for federal income tax.

Keep in mind that chart above is for 2012. The Bush era tax cuts are set to expire at the end of 2012 and if they are not extended the highest tax bracket may go up from 35% all the way up to 39.6%.

Just be thankful you don't live in New Jersey. The state tax on lottery winnings is 10.75%. So lets say the Bush era tax cuts are not extended and you win a million dollars from the lottery in 2013 in New Jersey. You need to pay 39.6% for federal income tax and then pay 10.75% in state tax.

So you need to pay 50.35% tax on your winnings. The government will take more than half of the money!

A new 3.8% Medicare contribution tax will take effect in 2013. This new tax will be implemented even if the Bush tax cuts are extended and is based on a minimum AGI of 250k for married, 200k for single.

Those NJ resident lucky enough to win next year will be looking at a total tax obligation of 54.15% on their AGI. Those who live in states that don't have state income tax will be looking at Federal tax obligations of 43.4% an increase of 24% from 2012...if the Bush tax cuts are extended you would save 4.6% (39.6-35%) from these figures.

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