Includes video report
A 44-year-old Michigan railroad engineer said he quit his job and told familly members to do the same when he learned he had won the third-largest winner's share ever for a U.S. lottery drawing.
Donald Lawson was accompanied by his two daughters and his mother, whom he jokingly called "Mama Warbucks," when he was introduced as the winner of the multi-state Powerball lottery on Friday.
"I'm a millionaire now, but I'll still eat at McDonald's," Lawson told a news conference in the Michigan capital of Lansing. "I don't like filet mignon or lobster."
Lawson, who said he had played the lottery "too much" in the past, quit his job the day he learned that he was the winner. And he told all of his close family members to retire, "and they had no problem with that."
He chose to take his money all at once rather than to take annual payments that would have added up to $337 million. Instead he will get a payout of $224.6 million, which will be $158.7 million after federal and Michigan taxes.
Lawson lives in Lapeer, Michigan, about 60 miles (97 kilometres) north of Detroit, where he bought his winning lottery ticket for $2 at a Sunoco gas station and convenience store.
He said he filled out his own lottery entry rather than let a machine make his picks, and used no system to select his winning numbers — 6, 27, 46, 51 and 56, with a Powerball of 21.
"I didn't really pick 'em," he said. "My hand just went."
He said he checked his numbers by looking online once someone told him that the winning ticket had been purchased at the local Sunoco station.
Lawson said he read the numbers backward and once he realized he was holding the single winning ticket, "I kind of lost my breath."
Lawson grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and moved to Lapeer 10 years ago. He is going to move away from Lapeer, but he did not say where, although he did say he has always wanted to travel.
"Now I can go anywhere in the world I want, so that's what I'm going to do," he said.
His mother, whose name was not given, was asked whether she thought her son would handle his new fortune well.
"We come from poor people," she said. "He knows the value of a dollar."
VIDEO: Watch the press conference
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Did he get the $4 for having the PB on line A ? LOL
Well of course...
That's awesome. Congratulations to you Mr. Donald Lawson. Enjoy your retirement, your family and friends are blessed to have a son/brother/husband, dad, friend etc, like you.
Regards...
Bob
I like that he quit his job right off the Bat,
Mabey opening a Job for someone who needs one.
BRAVO!!!!!
He seems like he has a better than average chance of handling this well. His $4 powerball win on line A paid for his Mcdonald's sandwich!
Congratulations Donald Lawson for picking the winning numbers yourself!
He likes McDonald's but doesn't like filet mignon or lobster?
He better get his taste buds checked out.
STORY UPDATED: Now you can watch the raw video of the news conference. See and hear the winner.
rdge.....I don't like seafood (will eat tunafish) and never eat red meat......so I am in the same camp. Of the 3, I'd take McDonalds (and I rarely go there). Now Thai food is another matter!
Roger on the Thai, Artist.
Especially some spicy Pad Se Ew.
You have to watch the video. He is pretty savvy actually. When someone asked him how many children he had he said two and replied" how many do you have?" lol He redirected the focus so they did not get into the followup question (ages of children, etc). Takes some poise to control a conference.
Best quote.... His hand just went to the lottery numbers on the slip...he did not pick them.
Awesome, thanks Todd.
In the background you can see "good things happen" I'm guessin thats MI. lottery slogan ?
I wonder if MI. lottery has a pic. of leroy fick w/ that background on their office wall ? LOL
"Best quote.... His hand just went to the lottery numbers on the slip...he did not pick them."
Ooooo like a Ouija board.
I want to do the same, create an opening, if fact i know a few ppl. who want my job,
the hard part would be figureing out which to recommend,
cause ya know, I'd have a lot more on my mind.
Don't play with Quija boards. It was the hand of God...or maybe an angel. So I hope he donates at least 10%.
I really tried picking my numbers that way once and my hand did nothing... so I quickly picked my own numbers and got 0 numbers.
Can you draw on your ticket like that? Seriously.
Just watched it. Seems like a nice guy who cares about his family.
I wish him well.
That thing he said about not picking the numbers, oddly enough though, reminded me of David Lee Edwards when he said he didn't pick the numbers - the numbers picked him.
I just hope this guy's life story turns out a lot better than Edwards' did and I'm sure it will.
Yeah, as long as you don't destroy any pertinent information.
I wonder if Michigan requires people to attend the press conference cause I sure as heck would not have gone if I didn't have to.
had the same thought about Edwards,
but this guy seems like he has his head screwed on right.
Good luck to him and his family. May they find peace, quiet and a home where no one can find them.
Drawing on the ticket is nothing. Do a search for, "Kim Claassen" she actually ripped up her winning powerball ticket because she thought the she had a losing ticket after she looked up the winning numbers for the wrong draw. Thankfully, the lottery still accepted the ticket.
Glad he bashed the government. 100 mill gone.
Roger that.
I think I'm gonna see if some numbers pick me out now on an extry ticket for MM and PB tonight and tomorrow.
Now I gotta head down the mountain to Buford's Septic Sludge Pumping & Gourmet Chili (Buford spells it "Gormay") and get the dadgum tickets.
Never heard that story. Just looked it up. Amazing! It would seem like a pen (especially a sharpie type one) would interfere with any sort of watermark validation or whatever they use.
Does Buford's have chicken soup in a sponge on the menu ? LOL
ewwwwww lol
As long as the bar code is readable, it doesn't make any differences. I use a pink high liter to mark my winning numbers. I'll show you if I win the MM jackpot tonight. Supposedly the terminals can't pick up red or pink.
lol I learned something new. I was always afraid to write on any winning ticket. Now when I have several pending ones in my purse and one I need to cash in, I will put a check mark on it so I don't think it is an old one.
You watched it? Don't tell me you broke down and got a fast Internet connection!
But Edwards said the numbers picked him....kind of like he was the annnointed one...some ego there. The new winner seems to be saying it was luck....or something else.
This guy reminds me of that Oregon Megabucks millionaire who just was comedic as a winner. You can only wish such people well.
After checking a ticket and finding it to be a loser I fold it in half horizontaly and make a small tear in it,
(I save the losers till the end of the year)
if i look @ it later, I know I checked it when I see the tear.
I've picked my numbers a few times using the "let your fingers do the walking" technique.
Had mixed results. Probably just as accurate as any of the best lotto systems out there.
Good idea too!
Well Congrats to the winner. I can remember all the time's I had filled in my numbers, just marking any number.
I guess it just was'nt my time to win. Well maybe tonight will be my turn, cause I did the same thing again, just marked any number on my ticket, like I always do. Let's hope he spends all that money wisely, cause if I had that much, I would live the rest of our life's comfortably in style.
I tried it, Im glad it worked for somebody.
he picked the same power ball twice randomly. when I was trying my luck that way, I think I actually paid attention that numbers are not the same. Does it mean I wasn't doing it randomly, since I was paying attention?
Hmmm, I gotta try it again being drunk, so I can be sure I'm not in control of my hands while they are busy picking the numbers.
When I have handpicked numbers and bought more than one ticket, I have played the same PB more than once (on purpose)
Good idea, that could be a winner.
Congrats to the newest Powerball winner.
Congrats. Hope he's married or at least taken. Or else he will be getting marriage proposals left and right from women (breaking tradition).
Congrats to the winner....
Finally broke down and got it? LOL. Hell Todd, I know people that ain't got electric yet, back up in here.
Them flatlanders down there always make sure we're at least about 30 years behind on everything.
Todd, you beat me to it! Good acquisition rdgrnr.
I think the PB jackpot winner was trying to say in regard to his numbers : He did not build that number set. Someone else built the numbers for him. ;)
I especially enjoyed the end of this attached video, where the MI Lottery Headquarters Director exclaimed: "Don't forget your check!" ... and everyone smiled and turned towards the GLORIOUS big check promo.
Congratulations, Donald, on your huge Powerball [$224,655,690.17 cash] jackpot, pre-taxed win and early retirement! It's a shame that you didn't add at least your two daughter's names on the MI Lottery's Official Claim Form; so that each would get their own house, car, and high percentage nest-egg ... too late now].
Congrats to Mr. Lawson and his family, hope they all can enjoy.
Congratulations to the winner! I hope he lives his life quietly, and is a great story regarding how to be a good lottery winner; I don't want to see him on "curse of the lottery" or any other lottery programs like Jack Whittaker or Dave Edwards or Mr. Fick & his wannabe pimp son "Mr. Slick"...
It's a shame that you didn't add at least your two daughter's names on the MI Lottery's Official Claim Form; so that each would get their own house, car, and high percentage nest-egg ..
He'll still be able to provide all that and more for them and he doesn't have to worry about them going off on their own and getting taken advantage of by some bum he can't stand. Besides, turning over 2/3 of your fortune to your children when you're only 44 is a bad idea.
Congrats on your new-found speed!
yup, exactly my point. Which means you weren't doing randomly, but rather picking them with some kind of thought. Unlike this guy, or so he says.
Congrats to the winner!
Good story, too. I wish him and his family well.
I keep all of my tickets for this very reason, even if I know they aren't a winner. I have OCD like that, where if I read the winning numbers and they don't match, I still get paranoid that mine may be a winner. You can't be too safe, ha!
Congratulations,Donald Lawson on your big win!
It shoulda been me,but since it wasn't I'm happy that it was you.
By the way, RJOh, one doesn't have to share the jackpot in even percentages.
Dadgum if 3 numbers didn't pick me out!
$30 with the Megaplier.
Might just try that again for my monthly tickets today instead of the one QP I usually get.
LOL, that reminded me of somebody here who said his luck was so bad that the lottery clerk hands him his tickets already torn up.
My research on doing things drunk hasn't shown a lot of promise.
So far.
I hope you're not suggesting that a woman's love, affection or marital preferences could be conditional, based solely on a man's personal wealth.
Because I would be shocked and appalled.
Thanks HaveABall, we're slowly catchin' up with the rest of the world though. We got it a lot better than the old timers around here used to.
Hell, Mamaw and Papaw didn't even have electricity, they had to watch tv by candlelight.
I'm glad he didn't use any quick picks, otherwise the win won't be legit.
Exactly! For as we all know, QP's that win are a big scam by the lottery exeuctives.
Every time I see a lottery winner smiling at a press conference I can't help but think that's probably going to be the last time they'll ever be happy. It's the last moment before that sweet innocence is lost forever. Little do they know that putting themselves out there like that will be the single worst decision of their life.
More often than not, going public means chaos, misery, and even death.
Your right. He should just end his life now before it's too late.
In fact, it should be mandatory that all lottery winners who go public, be immediately executed after receiving their checks.
Isn't playing the lottery fun?
Living the dream instead of chasing the dream....congratulations.
It was a nightmare for "jack" and all his people that had the luxury of quitting their jobs.
I hope it works out better for Donald.
Lmao,I would love to get behind the counter and do that to someone with a straight face. That would be so funny on camera.
Don't be surprised if it becomes a show on tv.
I have filled in 5 boxes at a time without looking or thinking about the numbers.
It never worked for me. But I only did it a few times.
Donald may have been doing it daily.
I'm saving mine to claim the losses on the tax return.
Lets us know how drinking and picking works out.
Congratulation to Donald Lawson on his Powerball Jackpot win. Since his mother believes he knows the value of a dollar. Donald Lawson, sound very down to earth. Best wishes to him & his family.
loved ur response......"lmao"lolololololkil especially:
"Hmmm, I gotta try it again being drunk, so I can be sure I'm not in control of my hands while they are busy picking the numbers."
U need to stoppppppp.....U R 2 FUNNY
Far More Often inspired by Genuine "LOVE".....
No Ronnie......."Jack".......went very very "Public" about winning his money...I mean he stayed out in the "Public" even carrying a Large sume of money $500,000.00 in his Van on one occassion, that's what turned his life and ultimately the lives of his family into a 'Nightmare'
That's true,
but Im talking about people around him who "quit their jobs" and lost their lives due to drug overdoses.
I'm sure Donald is a very well meaning person,
but I think it is a dis-service to give people a bunch of money and tell them "quit your job"
The current MM jackpot is $93 mil. If I ever win that sort of money, I would rather create jobs than make people to quit jobs.
I think he was trying to be humble while collection a big check. He likely means he doesn't have expensive tastes and if he eats out at McDonalds. Or on the other hand maybe he likes the taste of Wild Game better? To some people a nice pot of Squirrel or stewed Rabbit is better than about anything. To each their own. With his dough he can buy himself his own Mickey D's or whatever he wants...(Although the McDonalds in maine some times have lobster rolls and they are great!)
Giving people an opportunity to "quit their job" isn't telling them to "stop working". He gave them a chance to do work other than their job.
Yeah, I suppose doing drugs could be considered "other work"
Not suggesting that at all. It's just the way life is.
His relatives quitting their jobs means there will be new job openings for other people to fill.
Congratulations to Donald Lawson on is big win!
The article mentions that he spent just $2 on his winning ticket. The picture of the winning ticket show it cost him $8.
Don't you just love it when lottery officials always seem to minimize the amount wagered.
It would be funny....but I would be worried that the customer might be carrying a weapon. You never know these days...people do forget to take their meds.
I am glad to see a honest man win it..Now I hope he will stay away from too much McDs so called food and get into shape now that he has time to do it his way.. He is talking from a very modest nature but I think his taste of things will change after a while..
I musta been lookin' at the wrong line, it was only $21.
Hum, Ronnie316, if you research, you'll find that those two people who Jack loved weren't employed prior to Jack's win and sending them monies thereafter. Also, you'll find that Jack added 'more time' to working in his construction businesses.
Had Jack stopped working construction, etc. over 40 hours per week, and instead worked 2 hours per day investing and monitoring his new-found millions, it is highly probable that he and his family would be intact and closer together (like a lot of jackpot winners these days, who understand that non-monitary quantity doesn't lead to quality).
Ronnie316
I been searching the family tree all night and think I made the connection. WOO HOO.
PS. just kidding but I wonder how many are doing this right now.
RL
Good idea HaveABall, thanks for the advice.
I think we are all related somehow RL. Aren't we??
CB
I had something happen very similar when I hit a jackpot, I was about to press the run button
and I can't explain it but it was like something told me to make an adjustment and my hand
done it before I could even think about it. That one setting made all the difference. Weird!
RL
The same thing happened to me only the opposite. All my logic was telling me to do it a different way but I just stuck with my original intuition.
mcginnin56, yea, lol, but before getting executed, they should tell everyone they are going to disappear for a while.
Wait.... didn't he say he is going to disappear?
Oh my god, we are doomed, The Island movie is based on real facts, we are all clones. I always felt there is something wrong with this world.
"to give people a bunch of money and tell them "quit your job""
But isn't it what we do for every candidate running for government?
I volunteer to flip the switch on you myself, mcdoofus. Please win soon!!
Congrats to the Winner
Why thank you Nincompoop. Always good to know to know you have friends in a time of need.
But since I will never be going public, the only switch I will need flipping, is the mute button for all the ranting windbags.
I thought the the last line on his ticket was a quick pick.
His last number was a quick pick, must be this was not legit. Wonder when he will have to return the check.
He also said he played "too much" possible gambling issues??
He probably has a system of playing 1 QP for every 4 self picks.
Another great point.
It should be quite obvious to the Michigan Lottery Officials, that a player with self-admitted "gambling issues", cannot be responsible nor competent
for handling that kind of money. Give him perhaps $500, to see how he rations that for a year or so.
Regrettably, the money should be returned to other more rational players who are more diligent and thrifty in their gambling activities.
Good post...I'd even go as far to say telling your kids to quit their job is also a bad idea. Young people with no job and a boatload of money gives them a lot of time to think of ways of getting in trouble. A job gives them structure.
Congrats to the winner and his family. Stay happy and healthy.
I think that would be BETTER than the $2k+ per week "jack" was giving his grand daughter.
So true, I would give a small annuity as a gift instead of saying "retire"
Years ago Ohio tried something like that and players stopped playing their Super Lotto game, especially those traveling from out of state to play.
It seems some types got upset with people winning $40-$60M jackpots and not using it to do good works, especially those from out of state so Ohio placed a limit on the jackpots one ticket could win of $20M regardless of the advertised jackpot(which only lasted six months). Out of state players stop playing and Ohioans started traveling out of state to play PowerBall and BigGame. Ohioans never got excited about playing lottery in Ohio again until MegaMillions was added in 2002.
Good info RJOh, thanks.
A 44-year-old Michigan railroad engineer said he quit his job "and told family members to do the same"
His first big mistake is in quotes!
"I need more money, you told me to quit my job" ......... He will hear this until the money is gone!
But we must protect these "problem gamblers" from coming into contact with these huge sums of money.
May I recommend that Jack Whittaker be allowed to have a good "one to one" with these "problem gamblers", before they accept their checks?
There needs to be some kind of understanding before he dishes out the dough.
But with all that money and a system he could easily win again.
I agree, without a plan one person could burn through all the money and he is going to have lots of help.
With that much money, he can stand in front of the Arch and watch the sign change.
If having lots of money and a system made winning easy, there would be more multiple jackpots winners, but he could get lucky again if he keeps playing unless being lucky isn't easy too.
Good point RJ.
Systems are about a dime a dozen thousand.
Any having unlimited funds, is no guarantee of anything but an empty bank account.
Wasn't knocking your system Ronnie. I fully expect you to be making front page news on the LP Times, in the very near future!
As a system player myself, I would never knock anybody's system either. But I know even if a system improves your odds of winning something by 5-10 times, it can't guarantee you'll win a jackpot if you play less than all the possible combinations.
Perhaps your right mcginnin56, only time will tell.
Only on some points. If systems were a dime a thousand then there would be more good ones around. I know I couldn't get my system for a dime and I did all the work of designing and writing it myself.
Would you take a
I believer $19.95 to $49.95 is the normal price range for lottery systems, good or bad.
If they save time tracking and analyzing lottery results then they are worth the money, but if you're not into doing those things then they not work even a nickle to you.
Thanks for that analysis RJ.
Regrettably, I must inform you however, my offer is hereby retracted.
I am so Happy for him & his family :)
Which goes to prove you agree with my original point of winners remaining anonymous if they hope to stay sane and safe.
Of course, in your case safe is the best we can hope for, McDick.
No, it only goes to prove your smoking way to much of what your selling Ninonut.
ROH:
U need 2 structure D cost of UR lottery system$$$$$ cause PSYKO "knows" UR capitalist!!!
(1) good DEMOCRAT's ...........charge $9.95 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< they R "poor" !!!!
(2) bad REPUBLICAN's .........charge $49.95 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "RICH" RICH !!!!
Any decent system, in fact, needs thousands. I'd say $3000 to say the least, but probably much much more, to be certain of winning.
Any bad system needs way less and just a little bit of luck.
Can I please order two good democrat lottery systems @$9.95 each. (Does this include tax and shipping.
).
Thanks psykomo.
The best and cheapest system is the "non-system".
A guarantee of winning a jackpot??...... Now that would be nice.
I like a good Opus every once in a while.
Oh yeah, I just remembered. My predictions have brought around $16 million and I didn't pay a dime, or even a Nichol for my system.
The best things in life are free Mr. Ronnie. $16 million seems like a good R.O.I.
Yes, thank you. And I can use my system as many times as I want at no extra cost.
In fact, I can hardly wait til the cameras show up at my door to see my system in operation.
If I won such a big JP then I would have a good time with it and not worry about going broke, you can't take
it with you and who knows what your heirs will do with it after you are gone. You could have the best intentions
and manage it perfectly then it could wind up in the hands of a fool. Pump it back into the economy and have the
best time money can buy.
Congrats to the winner.
RL
That's good logic RL, and I would agree. But some people can do crazy things, like the guy wrote that his empire was to be distributed AFTER his last grandchild passed away.
That guy had a great sense of humor, God bless him.
No, mcginnin56, it is now best for Jack to heal himself by staying away from people.
Perhaps your right HaveABall. And taking it a step further, he should stay away from himself as well.
Exactly, no need to "stay away from people" when the problem is the person in the mirror.
Funny indeed, it only took 92 years for the distribution to take place.
How many others can claim that their prank lasted over 92 years.
He must have rolled over several thousand times in his grave with laughter.
Im not sure if the "rolling over in the grave" myth has any truth to it, but Im happy for the great, great grand kids who "rolled" to the bank.
Somehow I dont think Jacks problem is "other people"
Congrats to the lucky Family, enjoy!
I agree.
thats why we all look forward to your episode of " lottery changed my life "
How did he do that? I'm a new member here and I looking for advise on how lottery winners got the perfect number combination. I've been taking my chance on lottery for almost five years. Before, I don't believe on lottery chances of winning, but when I found out that my friend hit the jackpot, she disappeared due to family security.
Mr. Lawson, you are a very lucky man, I just wish I could have the chance just like you. Thank you lotterypost.com for you are giving us the chance to always believe in the game of chance...
Jamie
Welcome to the LP jamella724....
Congratulations to this jackpot winner. I thought that the jackpot rolled over and go past $365 million in Powerball.
Jack created his own problems, he was a good ol'boy who was already a millionaire, the lottery win put that into over drive.
For a man who wished he'd torn up the ticket, blaming the lottery and not himself, he still went on and played again, winning 10,000 bucks.
As for this guy, we'll see how he is in a few years but yeah, he might have set himself up for some trouble.
Of course I won't be truly happy until I win. 120 million would look good in my bank account after tonight's drawing. Yes, I know it won't be 120 mill after taxes. I'm going to marry the gas station that sold be the ticket.
It won't be $120 million before taxes, either.
I find it funny that someone would say that even after I said, "I know it won't be 120 million." Every time there is a winner the headline always has the exact jackpot amount. There was a winner last night, so the headline is going to be "120 million dollar Mega Million ticket sold in California." "Man/Woman/Group claims 120 million dollar jackpot." The headline has been written that way for years. I'm kinda pissed that it was won California again.