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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | $239 Million Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot Remains Unclaimed Mega Millions: $239 Million Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot Remains UnclaimedNearly a month after a Mega Millions ticket matched all six numbers to win a $239 million jackpot, the whereabouts of that ticket -- and the identity of the person who bought it -- are still unknown. The ticket was purchased at Red Apple in Stephens City, Virginia for the February 20, 2004 Mega Millions drawing. It was the only ticket in that drawing to match the winning numbers 01-13-20-21-30 and the Mega Ball number 24. Since that drawing there has been a large amount of speculation, but no one has shown up at the Virginia Lottery's door, holding that winning ticket. "The winner may still be waiting for the dust to settle and to get his or her affairs in order," says Virginia Lottery Executive Director Penelope W. Kyle. "We always advise all of our winners to obtain financial and legal advice before they make the necessary decisions required by the Lottery in order to claim their winnings." The ticket will expire 180 days after the drawing, which means the winner has until August 17, 2004 to claim the prize. If that happens, he or she can take the $239 million in 26 annual payments of $9.19 million per year before taxes or a one-time cash option of approximately $141.5 million before taxes. If this prize is not claimed within the required 180-day time limit, each of the eleven participating states in the Mega Millions game will get back all the money they contributed to that jackpot. Each state uses unclaimed prizes for different purposes. For example, in Virginia, it is required by law that all unclaimed prizes go to the state Literary Fund, which is used solely for educational purposes, such as school construction, renovation, and teacher retirement funding. Press Release and Lottery Post Staff We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 15 comments. Last comment 9 years ago by .
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June 5, 2002
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| | Posted: March 16, 2004, 12:49 pm - IP Logged | |
Todd: You have VA winners having 60 days from the DRAWING in which to choose cash. | | |
Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 20636 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2004, 2:35 pm - IP Logged | |
That is correct. The statement above about the cash option does not mention this limitation. | | |
United States Member #91 January 19, 2002 8910 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2004, 2:52 pm - IP Logged | |
this person is either very smart and very calm about the whole thing, or they dont even know they have the ticket yet! (maybe thier going through a divorce) "Everybody has to believe in something...I believe I'll have another beer!" = W.C.Fields | | |
Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 20636 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2004, 3:12 pm - IP Logged | |
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Mcminnville, Oregon United States Member #3070 December 13, 2003 1897 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2004, 4:26 pm - IP Logged | |
Todd: What happens after the 60 day limitation on the choice of annuity or cash? Does the winner only have the annuity option left. | | |
Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 20636 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 16, 2004, 5:33 pm - IP Logged | |
It depends on the state. My home state requires that you make a selection at the time you buy the ticket, and after 60 days you wouldn't be able to change that selection. Other states you don't make any selection when you buy the ticket. I'm not sure what Virginia does. | | |
New Jersey United States Member #2418 September 25, 2003 582 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 17, 2004, 12:49 am - IP Logged | |
I know its probably too early to think about this, but how many states put the unclamined prizes back in the pot? | | |
Yinzer Country, PA United States Member #4139 March 18, 2004 2731 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 18, 2004, 10:53 pm - IP Logged | |
i wouldn't be too surprised if the winner claims it at the last minute. | | |
Somewhere in VA United States Member #1980 July 29, 2003 130 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 20, 2004, 1:56 pm - IP Logged | |
Quote: Originally posted by CASH Only on March 16, 2004
Todd: You have VA winners having 60 days from the DRAWING in which to choose cash.
CASH, that is incorrect. According to the rules of the Virginia Lottery, winners of jackpots in Virginia Lottery drawings have 60 days from the date in which they claim the prize in order to choose whether they wish to take the prize as a cash option or the annuity. If the decision is not made at the time of claiming, the lottery will hold the winnings in trust until the decision is made or the 60 day limit has expired. If the 60 day limit expires, the default choice is the annuity. Therefore, technically, the decision as to whether to take the cash option or the annuity can occur as late as 240 days (the 180 claiming period plus the 60 day option period) from the date of the drawing.
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Yinzer Country, PA United States Member #4139 March 18, 2004 2731 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 31, 2004, 11:50 am - IP Logged | |
i just checked the website. someone has come forward, and they will get their prize tomorrow (1. Apr.). | | |
Canada Member #2723 November 2, 2003 497 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 31, 2004, 1:52 pm - IP Logged | |
Quote: Originally posted by DoctorEw220 on March 31, 2004
i just checked the website. someone has come forward, and they will get their prize tomorrow (1. Apr.).
DoctorEw220, You posted your April fools joke one day too early. Good luck,
Jake
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New Member
Brooklyn United States Member #4289 March 31, 2004 7 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 31, 2004, 2:22 pm - IP Logged | |
DoctorEw220 - Your right! At first I was wondering which website you were referring to, then, I figured it has to be VA state site.
Here it is for those that didn't find it:
www.valottery.com | | |
Canada Member #2723 November 2, 2003 497 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 31, 2004, 8:27 pm - IP Logged | |
DoctorEw220, I checked out the VA site. You were right. I stand corrected. Because you did not mention which site, I was suspicious. Good luck,
Jake
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Yinzer Country, PA United States Member #4139 March 18, 2004 2731 Posts Offline | | Posted: March 31, 2004, 8:29 pm - IP Logged | |
there's more than one site? | | |
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