The winner of the $34 million Mega Millions jackpot has stepped forward.
Thomas Thornton, a Coachella Valley resident, produced the winning ticket, Cathy Doyle Johnston, spokeswoman for the California Lottery, said this afternoon.
Thornton chose the cash option and will receive a lump-sum payment of about $17 million before federal tax witholding.
"I am stunned, shocked and excited," Thornton said a news release issued by the state Lottery. "I have worked hard all my life and will continue to do so, but this jackpot will allow me to lend a hand to members of my family in need of a little extra help and do many special things for my wife."
Thornton bought the winning ticket at La Quinta Liquor and Deli in the La Quinta Cove. The store will receive $170,000 for selling the ticket.
Thornton learned Monday night that someone in La Quinta had bought the winning ticket but retired to bed without checking his numbers, the release said. When he woke he checked the numbers on the Lottery's Web site and learned he had the winning combination of 27, 30, 36, 38, 45 and the Mega Ball number 13.
Since Mega Millions began, there have been four Mega Millions jackpots won in California, including the historic $315 million jackpot won on November 15, 2005. California schools receive at least 34 percent of all lottery sales and have received more than $1 billion annually from the California State Lottery for the past five consecutive years, according to a news release from the state lottery.
That was very fast in terms of claiming the ticket. I hope Mr. Thorton doesn't have financial problems later in life like what Mr. Whitaker did in West Virginia.
Congrats to the winner and his family! I'm surprised they did not give his age in the news article. The fact that he says he's going to continue working... I wonder if it's a family owned business? That would be the only reason I'd stay at a job with a win like that. I'd change jobs rather quickly to one that only involved researching worthwhile charities.
A winner’s name, city/county, and the prize amount is generally a matter of public record, but not age.
The article didn't say he was going to stay at a job, quit a job, not quit a job, etc., just that he will work hard (at whatever he does). A perfect ambiguous quote; we can all learn something from his words in terms of addressing the press.
The differance in the amount the store gets for selling the winning ticket is based on the amount of the jackpot, the store that sells the ticket gets like 1/2% of the jackpot. the store that sold the $315 million ticket got about $1 million
WRONG!!!! Depends on state. There was a huge jackpot several years ago that had winners in IL and MI. One store got a millon the other 10,000.
So True hsvscubaski. It all depends on the state and what they decide to give the store for selling the winning ticket! That amount has already been set (unless it's Calif. because of the pari-mutuel payout) before that PB or MM state has their first game! It's $10,000.00 here in Delaware that the retailer gets! And I think that's a chicken s**t amount, it should be no less than $50,000.00 in any PB or MM state!
The differance in the amount the store gets for selling the winning ticket is based on the amount of the jackpot, the store that sells the ticket gets like 1/2% of the jackpot. the store that sold the $315 million ticket got about $1 million
HAPPY SATURDAY...6/24/2006
YES....congrats to the winner & his family..they deserved to win....
I have (2) ???'s....
How come out of a $$$34mil jackpot,(no pun intended) he gets only $$17mill before, yes before taxes???...Why not more???
And, those numbers you chose....are they someone's B'days or Anniversary???? Inquiring minds need to know..
A winner’s name, city/county, and the prize amount is generally a matter of public record, but not age.
I disagree. Every Florida Lottery press release includes the name and age of the winner.
Just some examples:
The Florida Lottery announced today FLORIDA LOTTO™ winner Kenneth Wittmer, 46, of Palm Coast, claimed the June 3 estimated $10 million FLORIDA LOTTO jackpot.
The Florida Lottery announced today FLORIDA LOTTO™ winner William Anderson, 54, of Port St. Lucie, claimed his share of an estimated $82 million FLORIDA LOTTO jackpot.
The Florida Lottery announced today FANTASY 5® winner Yolette Sicot, 37, of Miami, claimed the June 16, $276,057.91 FANTASY 5 jackpot.
That was fast.
Thornton bought the winning ticket at La Quinta Liquor and Deli in the La Quinta Cove. The store will receive $170,000 for selling the ticket.
Is there a difference in the amount of money receive in each states for selling a winning mega million ticket?
I like how he claimed his winnings fast, but not his saying that he will continue to work hard - foolish!
oc- yes, there is a difference between the retailers' states. Some get only pennies, some millions!
I'm not sure I follow how working hard can be foolish.
That was very fast in terms of claiming the ticket. I hope Mr. Thorton doesn't have financial problems later in life like what Mr. Whitaker did in West Virginia.
Congrats to the winner and his family! I'm surprised they did not give his age in the news article. The fact that he says he's going to continue working... I wonder if it's a family owned business? That would be the only reason I'd stay at a job with a win like that. I'd change jobs rather quickly to one that only involved researching worthwhile charities.
A winner’s name, city/county, and the prize amount is generally a matter of public record, but not age.
The article didn't say he was going to stay at a job, quit a job, not quit a job, etc., just that he will work hard (at whatever he does). A perfect ambiguous quote; we can all learn something from his words in terms of addressing the press.
Congrats to Mr. Thorton. I hope everything works out for him.
The differance in the amount the store gets for selling the winning ticket is based on the amount of the jackpot, the store that sells the ticket gets like 1/2% of the jackpot. the store that sold the $315 million ticket got about $1 million
WRONG!!!! Depends on state. There was a huge jackpot several years ago that had winners in IL and MI. One store got a millon the other 10,000.
So True hsvscubaski. It all depends on the state and what they decide to give the store for selling the winning ticket! That amount has already been set (unless it's Calif. because of the pari-mutuel payout) before that PB or MM state has their first game! It's $10,000.00 here in Delaware that the retailer gets! And I think that's a chicken s**t amount, it should be no less than $50,000.00 in any PB or MM state!
Actually Michigan has a max retailer bonus of $2,000.
You get two percent of anything you claim in your store up to a max of $100,000 (which would be $2,000)
You also get two percent of all sales you make. (with some exceptions to the good)
Finally it ends up being about 6% goes to retailers as commissions. (Almost $200,000,000 last year)
Brad
The differance in the amount the store gets for selling the winning ticket is based on the amount of the jackpot, the store that sells the ticket gets like 1/2% of the jackpot. the store that sold the $315 million ticket got about $1 million
HAPPY SATURDAY...6/24/2006
YES....congrats to the winner & his family..they deserved to win....
I have (2) ???'s....
How come out of a $$$34mil jackpot,(no pun intended) he gets only $$17mill before, yes before taxes???...Why not more???
And, those numbers you chose....are they someone's B'days or Anniversary???? Inquiring minds need to know..
A winner’s name, city/county, and the prize amount is generally a matter of public record, but not age.
I disagree. Every Florida Lottery press release includes the name and age of the winner.
Just some examples:
The Florida Lottery announced today FLORIDA LOTTO™ winner Kenneth Wittmer, 46, of Palm Coast, claimed the June 3 estimated $10 million FLORIDA LOTTO jackpot.
The Florida Lottery announced today FLORIDA LOTTO™ winner William Anderson, 54, of Port St. Lucie, claimed his share of an estimated $82 million FLORIDA LOTTO jackpot.
The Florida Lottery announced today FANTASY 5® winner Yolette Sicot, 37, of Miami, claimed the June 16, $276,057.91 FANTASY 5 jackpot.