Retired NY principal claims $326M lottery jackpot

Jan 12, 2015, 11:37 am (64 comments)

Mega Millions

A retired Sullivan County, New York, school principal drew the sole winning ticket from a $326 million Mega Millions game two months ago, making him the biggest winner in state lottery history, officials said Monday.

Harold Diamond, 80, purchased the winning multi-state ticket at a Valero gas station in Middletown on Nov. 4.

Diamond had 60 days to contact lottery officials, and the Wurtsboro resident finally did so just before Christmas.

Diamond was identified during an event at that Valero on Monday. The lottery winner and his wife arrived in a limo, were cheered by onlookers and handed a giant bouquet of red roses.

He'll get to select his winning payout — either 30 annuitized payments or a lump sum of $197.45 million, which accounts for state and federal taxes.

It's the biggest payout in Empire State history, as Diamond topped "The Albany 7," a group of state employees who divided a $319 million jackpot in March, 2011.

A San Jose, Calif., man, David Bruckner, claimed a $202 million payout on a ticket he purchased when visiting family on Long Island in late 2011.

Aubrey Boyce, an MTA collections agent from Kew Gardens, scored a $133 jackpot in 2009.

The owner of the Valero station where Diamond made the lucky purchase will get $10,000.

"We were all excited," station owner Michael Nafash, 53. "It's a big event for the store to sell a winning ticket."

Employee Irma Reyes, 22, sold Diamond his winning ticket.

"I only found out last night. The manager kept it a secret," Reyes said. "I was surprised excited ... everything at the same time."

The employee admitted she didn't recall Diamond's face.

"I probably see 100 faces a day. It's pretty hard to remember who you sold it to," she said. "I'm just happy it's someone from around here."

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

NY Post

Comments

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

$10 INVESTMENT TURNED INTO $326 MILLION.

surimaribo24's avatarsurimaribo24

WOW  congrats to him . 

Lildarryl

quick picks are the way

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Time for a permanent cruise, around the world. Nice!!!.

noise-gate

Congratulations Harold & the Mrs.

Wow- talk about a 80 year old " Diamond in the rough"-you earned it Big guy,  enjoy your wealth & live long and prosper. .

Party

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

More than anything else, I love to see a picture of the winning ticket. Quick pick #2 was the winner.

Congratulations Mr Diamond. I'd change my name to be Mr PlatinumLOL

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Jan 12, 2015

$10 INVESTMENT TURNED INTO $326 MILLION.

At 80 years young, I would venture to guess that he will take the lump sum thus bypassing the 30-year annuity. The cash payout is $197 million BEFORE any taxes are deducted and his net take home pay after all New York state and local tax obligations are met will be roughly $95 million. 

I hope he has many wonderful years left to enjoy his windfall.

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Congrats to Mr. Diamond on his big win! Cheers

IPlayWeekly's avatarIPlayWeekly

That's a nice win but the reality is that his offspring will truly enjoy it.  Congrats!

RJOh's avatarRJOh

With CLAIMED stampped on it, retailers don't have to worry about someone trying to cash it again.winning ticket

Gleno's avatarGleno

Congrats to the Diamonds and the Valero gas station owner.

Lesson here that we only have 60 days to contact the lottery commission.

That's news to me thought we had one year to claim the prize. Is that a N.Y. state requirement or Mega Game requirement?

I better read the back of the betting slip next time to be sure.

Coffee

Gleno's avatarGleno

Thanks Todd for the copy of the winning ticket.

All quick picks, just  an amazing wager and winning prize.

Wink

IPlayWeekly's avatarIPlayWeekly

The 60 days or a yr doesn't matter to me, I'll collect the next business day.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Let It All OutI am Jealous & envious too.  Congratulations to the winner. Good Luck to all LP members this week !Cussing Face

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