By Todd Northrop
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Lottery announced Tuesday that James Caldwell of Orlando claimed a $46 million jackpot from the Dec. 18 drawing.
Caldwell chose to receive his winnings in a one-time, lump-sum payment of $28,759,280, according to lottery officials.
Caldwell declined media requests for comment.
The winning numbers for the Dec. 18, 2013, Florida Lotto drawing were 2, 5, 9, 24, 34, and 40, with Xtra number 5?.
The lucky winner purchased his jackpot-winning Quick Pick ticket at a Circle K on South Ferncreek Avenue in Orlando.
Officials say the store received a bonus commission of $160,000 for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.
The next Florida Lotto drawing will be held Wednesday at 11:15 pm for an $8 million jackpot.
Congrats!!! Enjoy your good fortune Florida keeps giving winners publicity that they don't need or want. Wake up and smell the coffee, unwanted publicity sucks
Congrats to the lucky winner.
Most lottery winners take the cash option instead of the annunity.
Congratulations Mr James Caldwell Spend Wisely
I just visited South Florida, and I know I was surrounded by many millionaires and multi-millionaires. How else could the same people play golf several times per week while driving nice luxury cars? But did that tempt me to go bother them? Not in the least. There is a simple remedy for publicity of this nature...just travel frequently. Only someone who stays put in one place so that all the vultures can circle and land makes this a possiblity. But I have never seen vultures keep up nor stay interested in a moving target.
I will not mind people knowing my name if I win. I also would not mind people being familiar with my face if I win. The one thing all of those people would need to know is that I know how to say "NO!"
Wow another Florida winner!
Congratulations, James, on your tidy Florida Lotto jackpot win!
$1 TURNED INTO $46 MILLION.
Florida is churning out millionaires at a dizzying pace. I bet lottery sales are popping like oil in a frying pan. Wtg Florida lottery and congrats Mr Caldwell
Alligators and Snakes population will growth along these new Florida lottery Millionaires.
I bet it was a QP ticket not a own number like Lustig tells folks not to buy QP plays...
The lucky winner purchased his jackpot-winning Quick Pick ticket at a Circle K on South Ferncreek Avenue in Orlando.
Why are you surprised by that? It is the FLORIDA LOTTO game after all. I would think most all winners of the Florida Lotto would be Floridians. Occasionally, you may get a snowbird or vacationer luck up and win.
THE LOTTERY IS RANDOM.
LOTTERY QUICK PICKS ARE A MONEY MACHINE.