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Jul 24, 2007, 8:39 pm (5 comments)
A custodian for the Davenport school district in Iowa cashed in a lottery ticket Monday worth $1 million — becoming the first top prize winner in the Iowa Lottery's "Set for Life'' scratch-off game.
Martin Rodriguez, 47, won't actually get $1 million because he opted for a lump sum payment of $650,000. After taxes, he'll get $455,000.
Rodriguez said he bought the ticket Saturday after stopping at Mother Hubbard's convenience store in Davenport.
"I was between baseball games, and I was going to get something to eat,'' he said. "I scratched the first one off, and it was $1 million.''
He then hid the ticket at home and went back to the ballfield for another game.
Rodriguez claimed the prize Monday at Iowa Lottery headquarters in Des Moines. He could have received the full $1 million spread over 25 years — about $40,000 a year.
Rodriguez said he will continue working, and use the money to buy a house and invest the rest.
Lottery Post Staff
Congratulations to the winner, but I would have taken the annuity if I was him.
Yes, the annuity might have made better sense but to each his own.....
Congratulations !!!
As long as he's happy with his choice then that's all that matters. Congradulations.
Reading this story makes me home sick. I'm from the Quad Cities. I too would have taken the payments.
When you opt for the lump sum are you taking whatever is in the pot at the time?