Winner of $56 Million CA Lottery Jackpot Too Busy To Claim Prize

May 11, 2005, 3:58 pm (24 comments)

California Lottery

California Lottery officials announced the winning ticket for last Saturday’s $56 million SuperLOTTO Plus jackpot was sold at Broadway Food Corner in Los Angeles.

“A young man telephoned our Santa Fe Springs District Office earlier today and said he held the winning ticket,” said Acting Director Chon Gutierrez. “The gentleman told our district manager in Santa Fe Springs that he could not claim his ticket because he had to work a double shift and would try to come back sometime later this week,” said Gutierrez.

“Perhaps the fact that he just won $56 million has not fully sunk in.”

Sang Lee owner of Broadway Food Corner, the lucky retailer who sold the winning ticket, said that one of her regular customers told her that he had the winning ticket but he was too busy working and didn’t want to bother anyone at work today. “I know he works in the neighborhood but I don’t know his name,” said Sang Lee.

The $56 million ticket is the fourth largest prize ever sold in Los Angeles County since the Lottery began selling tickets in 1985.

A single jackpot winner of $56 million who chooses the 26 graduated annual payments would receive approximately $1.4 million the first year and $2.8 million the 26th year (before federal withholding).

A single jackpot winner who chooses the cash option would receive the estimated cash value which is roughly half the announced jackpot or $28 million (before federal withholding).

SuperLOTTO Plus can be played at approximately 18,000 retail business establishments statewide. The SuperLOTTO Plus draw takes place each Wednesday and Saturday night at 7:58 p.m. Players can purchase tickets until 7:45 p.m. on the night of the draw.

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CalifDude

I wasn't the winner!  And I would NOT be too busy to claim my ticket.

CASH Only

CA requires the cash/annuity choice to be made when you play.

lottolady24's avatarlottolady24



CA requires the cash/annuity choice to be made when you play.



Really?  That's interesting.  The lump sum or payment options really depend on the jackpot amount.  For me, at $56 million it would definately be a lump sum, but anything less than $10 million the payments might be the best way to go for someone who doesn't know how to invest.   

paki

could be a prank call....??

CalifDude



could be a prank call....??



Very possible.  I thought of that, too. 

CalifDude






CA requires the cash/annuity choice to be made when you play.





Really?  That's interesting.  The lump sum or payment options really depend on the jackpot amount.  For me, at $56 million it would definately be a lump sum, but anything less than $10 million the payments might be the best way to go for someone who doesn't know how to invest.   



I would always take lump sum.  If you took the payments for the $10 million, you would get about $120,000 a year BEFORE taxes.  Remember, you get ONE check per year.  If you quit your job and blow your first check in the first 3 months...you are broke for the next 9 months!  Did you see the article here on LP about Massachusetts allowing people that had taken annual payments to instead get a lump sum?  They had to pay something for it, but I think it was 270 people that came forward requesting it.  That should be a good indication that annual payments are not the best way to go.

lottolady24's avatarlottolady24









CA requires the cash/annuity choice to be made when you play.





Really?  That's interesting.  The lump sum or payment options really depend on the jackpot amount.  For me, at $56 million it would definately be a lump sum, but anything less than $10 million the payments might be the best way to go for someone who doesn't know how to invest.   





I would always take lump sum.  If you took the payments for the $10 million, you would get about $120,000 a year BEFORE taxes.  Remember, you get ONE check per year.  If you quit your job and blow your first check in the first 3 months...you are broke for the next 9 months!  Did you see the article here on LP about Massachusetts allowing people that had taken annual payments to instead get a lump sum?  They had to pay something for it, but I think it was 270 people that came forward requesting it.  That should be a good indication that annual payments are not the best way to go.



I agree with you personally, but if someone who has no concept of money management was to win $10 million, ($5 million for lump sum, actual cash value) walk with around $3 million after taxes.  They think they are wrth $10 million.  $3 million (although I most certainly wouldn't complain) is pretty easy to blow these days.  One big giant house, a couple of nice cars, pay off all debt and you can't afford to pay your taxes.  At least with payments they would have another check coming after getting burned the first time.  Most people don't get a second chance at hitting a lotto jackpot.

MillionsWanted's avatarMillionsWanted

If I won I would be TO BUSY claiming my win to be able do anything else.

castles

I am about 95% sure that regardless of what a state's rules used to say, a Federal law now allows anyone to change from annuity to cash, within a specific time frame, even if the state requires you to make a choice at the time of purchase.  I do not believe, however, that you can switch from Cash to Annuity.

Todd's avatarTodd



I am about 95% sure that regardless of what a state's rules used to say, a Federal law now allows anyone to change from annuity to cash, within a specific time frame, even if the state requires you to make a choice at the time of purchase.  I do not believe, however, that you can switch from Cash to Annuity.



No, there's no LAW, only guidelines.  Lotteries do not REQUIRE states to follow this, and some states don't.  New York, for example.

DrumSlinger

I agree, $56Million too busy to claim!?  My goodness. 

Hey Mega Millions, welcome to California! Seems like it will take forever for June 24th to get here.  What I think will be exciting to see is when the California Super Lotto reaches $85Million, it grows just like the Mega Millions, which theoritically means the Mega Millions JP's could double/double after California gets in.  $500Million very possible.

weshar75's avatarweshar75

It must have not sunk in yet that he is 56 million dollars richer today than he was yesterday.  I would go get my prize and work would wait.  He could call in sick for one day.

Tnplayer805's avatarTnplayer805



I am about 95% sure that regardless of what a state's rules used to say, a Federal law now allows anyone to change from annuity to cash, within a specific time frame, even if the state requires you to make a choice at the time of purchase.  I do not believe, however, that you can switch from Cash to Annuity.



Yeah I know you can do that in GA.  It even says that on the Web Site.  I don't know about California though.  I don't even know why they put that option on the tickets. 

dvdiva's avatardvdiva

I wouldn't even believe it unless I read the ticket codes and verified the ticket with the state lottery. After that I'd tell my boss what he could do with my job. Same day service for that one.

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