A mother is celebrating her $1 million Louisiana Lottery prize after being completely unaware she had won.
Lala Singleton only remembered to check her ticket after her sister-in-law, from Connecticut, tagged her in a Facebook article that said the winner was from her hometown of Baton Rouge.
Singleton, a 'every once in a while' player of the Powerball lottery, couldn't believe that her chosen five white balls matched those she needed for the jackpot.
'Once I checked my ticket, I just flipped out!' she told Lottery Louisiana. 'I made my boss and coworkers double check!'
Singleton who bought her ticket on June 22, intends to use the winnings to pay off her and husband's debt as well as contributing towards their children's college funds.
'It's been a stressful year,' she said. 'It has just been one thing after another lately... but joy comes in the morning!'
Singleton also plans to donate to Jumpstart Your Heart, a non-profit that raising awareness of heart conditions in athletes that can lead to sudden death.
After deductions from federal and state tax, Singleton received $710,000.
Charge Up 47 Shell Station, in Baton Rouge, where Singleton purchased her lucky ticket,has received a $10,000 bonus for selling it — 1% of the prize.
Cashiers Jerry Huggins and Charmaine Jackson at the garage have hung a banner to state that they were a location that has sold a winning ticket.
The winning numbers for the June 22 Powerball drawing were 3, 6, 11, 14, and 66, with Powerball number 21.
Congratulations to her but I would not have told anyone that I won let along check for me. Now people will be coming out of the woodwork.
Her boss and co-workers are going to remind her that they were all part of an office pool...
"After deductions from federal and state tax, Singleton received $710,000." [$1 million less 24% federal withholding and 5% Louisiana taxes]
Hope they realize they will owe around 13% additional federal taxes . . plus wages get jacked up into the 37% bracket for the 2019 tax year.
Lala says 'I made my boss and coworkers double check!'
Isn't that's like telling your husband you pregnant and handing him the pregnancy test kit, but him going next door to ask the neighbors if it is really so?
LOL!
I'm very happy for Lala, but the last thing I would do with a million dollar ticket is take it outside and ask people to check my numbers, especially coworkers!
You're absolutely right. Not only that. Never go on social media and state something. Her coworkers are going to do something. Her relatives. The person that tagged will learn a valuable lesson. I bet someone hires a hitman on that person. People are so stupid.
😒even money is she find self in the middle of a lawsuit inside of a month
"hires a hitman"???
Absolutely correct! Congrats, you're a savvy lottery player, but most players aren't.
Most players are not aware of what's the smartest thing they can do when they first find out they've won a huge amount of money. When you combine that with the powerful and overwhelming rush of excitement that initially hits them, they're toast when it comes to keeping their emotions in check.
Put yourself in this situation;
You're a person that doesn't play the lottery much, your expectation is that you'll never win anything, and you're not aware of "the do's and don'ts" if you hit for big money. Now out of the blue, you've just learned that you have hit for a million dollars, and that powerful and overwhelming rush of excitement has hit you. A person in that category has little to no chance of remaining calm and in control of their emotions. G5
" I made my boss and coworkers double check" AND her name is Lala ?...... Takes care of my "inquiring minds want to know" question.
Congrats Ms Singleton, enjoy your new found wealth
This proves my other theory that only idiots win.
Joy Comes in the morning, and all the people you haven't known for decades come in the evening for dinner at your table when they find out you'll be getting a huge check. Desert will be on her, but a bittersweet congrats on the win