Powerball: N.C. woman claims $66M Powerball jackpotA North Carolina woman turned in the winning $65.8 million Powerball ticket to South Carolina Lottery officials late Friday afternoon.
A release from the state lottery said the woman chose to remain anonymous and has decided to take the Powerball prize in a $34.2 million, taxable, one-time cash payout.
North Carolinians have bought all three of the winning Powerball tickets sold in South Carolina since the lottery started in January 2002. North Carolina has no state lottery.
In May 2003, a Charlotte couple claimed an $88.7 million Powerball jackpot, taking $48.8 million in a single payment. In January, a Concord, N.C., couple claimed half of a $221.5 million prize and took $60.1 million in cash.
State Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue said the woman lives in the Raleigh area, but he had no further details about her age, marital status or occupation.
The woman is represented by a Raleigh lawyer, who did not respond to messages left Friday.
While the previous winners chose to be identified almost immediately after the drawing, the woman "at this point in time was hesitant to have any hoopla about it," Passailaigue said. "We try to honor people's wishes."
The release said the woman was a first-time Powerball player driving back from Atlanta when she stopped three times to buy tickets, probably June 25, Passailaigue said.
The winning numbers, 9-17-32-41-47-Powerball-8 were sold at the woman's first stop, a Spinx Sunoco Station off Interstate 85's Exit 11 in Townville in western South Carolina.
The store gets a $50,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
