Eight female employees of the Monongalia County sheriff's tax office in West Virginia won Saturday night's $276.3 million Powerball jackpot, officials said today.
Reportedly, the women will take a lump sum payment amounting to about $17 million each.
All of them showed up for work today at the courthouse in Morgantown, according to MetroNews.
Chief Tax Deputy Linda Famico was bombarded with phone calls from media outlets from the time the office opened at 9 a.m.
Famico told a reporter from MetroNews that she plans to stay on the job.
"You know it, but you can't really comprehend it quite yet," she said. "It's kind of early. Everyone is talking. They all have plans, but it's hard to have that sink in."
Famico said employees of the office had a regular Powerball pool, but only eight of the 11 women were in it last week.
She said the winners would give some money to the three who didn't play.
"We're all actually very upset about that," Famico told radio station WAJR.
Famico said her first priority would be to take care of her family.
Nancy Bulla, a spokeswoman for the West Virginia Lottery, said the winning ticket was sold last Thursday at 5:14 p.m. at Paula's, a limited video lottery parlor in Westover.
Eight female employees of the Monongalia County sheriff's tax office won Saturday night's $276.3 million Powerball jackpot, officials said today.
Reportedly, the women will take a lump sum payment amounting to about $17 million each.
All of them showed up for work today at the courthouse in Morgantown, according to MetroNews.
Chief Tax Deputy Linda Famico was bombarded with phone calls from media outlets from the time the office opened at 9 a.m.
Famico told a reporter from MetroNews that she plans to stay on the job.
"You know it, but you can't really comprehend it quite yet," she said. "It's kind of early. Everyone is talking. They all have plans, but it's hard to have that sink in."
Famico said employees of the office had a regular Powerball pool, but only eight of the 11 women were in it last week.
She said the winners would give some money to the three who didn't play.
"We're all actually very upset about that," Famico told radio station WAJR.
Famico said her first priority would be to take care of her family.
Nancy Bulla, a spokeswoman for the West Virginia Lottery, said the winning ticket was sold last Thursday at 5:14 p.m. at Paula's, a limited video lottery parlor in Westover.
Bulla said lottery officials spent Sunday verifying where the ticket was sold.
She said officials performed security checks, including analyzing the original paper stock in the lottery machine, to make sure the ticket came from Paula's.
Maria Skidmore, regional manager for the company that owns Paula's, said she planned to place a sign in a window at the parlor today announcing the big win.
"We thought it was great," Skidmore said. "We were glad it was in West Virginia."
For selling the winning ticket, Paula's can win up to $100,000, according to the lottery's Web site.
This jackpot marks the seventh time a ticket sold in West Virginia has won Powerball. It is the largest win since December 2002, when Jack Whittaker won the $314.9 million jackpot.
More than 1.5 million tickets were sold in West Virginia for Saturday's drawing.
Nearly 2 million other players won prizes totaling more than $12 million.
The winning numbers were six, 22, 42, 43 and 47. The Powerball was 16 and the Power Play was two.
The estimated jackpot for Wednesday is $15 million dollars.
I smell a lawsuit coming, hopefully there were rules in that weekly Pool, that was played,,,cause I don't think they are going to settle for the old "we will give them some money" Line.
I smell a lawsuit coming, hopefully there were rules in that weekly Pool, that was played,,,cause I don't think they are going to settle for the old "we will give them some money" Line.
I'm surprised that was even mentioned to the press. Just by implying the 3 other women deserve a portion of the winnings is tantamount to admitting they should share in the pool. I think it would be very nice if each of the winners gave them a large gift, but that's totally separate.
I smell a lawsuit coming, hopefully there were rules in that weekly Pool, that was played,,,cause I don't think they are going to settle for the old "we will give them some money" Line.
"Famico said employees of the office had a regular Powerball pool, but only eight of the 11 women were in it last week."
I'm assuming this means there were drawings when all 11 were in the pool and when the spokesman said "we will give them some of the money", a lawsuit is very likely. They have an office with 11 women, 8 of the women get $17 million and the 3 women are dependant on the generosity of the other 8.
Do the women in the Sheriff's tax office carry guns?
Although the odds of winning are very slim, this is a good example to show that every agreement should be in writing with the rules clearly stated.
If the 3 women played regularly but decided they were wasting their money on a dream, then they really are not entitled to any of the jackpot. We just don't know the circumstances here.
I smell a lawsuit coming, hopefully there were rules in that weekly Pool, that was played,,,cause I don't think they are going to settle for the old "we will give them some money" Line.
This is why I just say NO to office lottery pools...first of all, there goes your wish for anonymity as someone is going to go blab, blab, blah to the entire world. Second, if everyone with whom you work do not participate all the time, you have a situation like the present one crop up. Third, I like the notion of it just being me winning all that cash (cash value BTW). Fourth, emphasis on my first point as many people I associate with do not believe in playing the lottery...so I will want to keep my source under wraps. Fifth, I want to become a very, very wealthy black guy...not just a well off black guy. Well, last year was the year of convicts winning and everyone but me winning...I declare this to be my year to step into the jackpot circle...albeit anonymously!
I smell a lawsuit coming, hopefully there were rules in that weekly Pool, that was played,,,cause I don't think they are going to settle for the old "we will give them some money" Line.
It's probably not too wise to ever promised co-workers or friends part of your lottery winnings because what ever amount you're willing to share it will never be enough.
When Jack Whitaker won his millions, it was reported that he bought a waitress a home for $80K and she was disappointed because she was expecting something nicer and enough extra cash to maintain it. Others were mad because he set up a foundation with local churches to help the needy and people not from the area felt they weren't getting a fair chance at his winnings.
Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Mar 17, 2008
Although the odds of winning are very slim, this is a good example to show that every agreement should be in writing with the rules clearly stated.
If the 3 women played regularly but decided they were wasting their money on a dream, then they really are not entitled to any of the jackpot. We just don't know the circumstances here.
I was in a pool where we used the lotto numbers to play a made up game and a small percentage was used to buy QPs. Everybody would pick 6 lotto numbers and the first player to have his six numbers drawn won the pool. The pool was limited to 30 players at $5 a drawing. When the lotto was up to a fixed amount, half of that drawing's prize fund would be used to buy QPs.
We all had to pick 6 numbers and pay $10 to be in the next game, everybody got copy of all the players, their numbers, and the QPs. Any money won in the lotto would be split between those players. Had we won the jackpot, I suppose we could have been sued by somebody that had been in other games, but I don't know how they could prove they should have been included in that game.
When I read about pools where some people are always in and out a red flag goes up. Hopefully this pool won't be sued, but when the spokesman acknowledged the other 3 women were entitled to some of the winnings, she certainly opened the door.
any good lawyer would simply take the case on the foundation, ya snooze ya lose! Sorry but if ya didnt pay, ya dont get to decide how the winners money is divided up. A contract has three parts, consent, parameter (guidelines) and signatures..it doesnt have to be written.
My lottery pool is three people, me,myself and I. *grin*
Not a fan of large groups winning but hey, so be it. Just sorry that it had to be a group of women who cant learn to be quiet til AFTER they collect the money. The only gain of this is, the lady who plans to stay at her job a little while. She at least doesnt count her chickens before they are hatched.
I agree with you, GameGrl, but the problem is that frivolous lawsuits aren't that uncommon these days. Remember the man who found a scratch-off in the trash and had to fight in court to collect the money? That was in MA and, even after the Lottery ruled in his favor, he still had legal battles to fight.
Congrats to the eight lucky winners.
Could you float me a loan?
I hope they remember to pay their taxes...
Cool!!!!!
I smell a lawsuit coming, hopefully there were rules in that weekly Pool, that was played,,,cause I don't think they are going to settle for the old "we will give them some money" Line.
I'm surprised that was even mentioned to the press. Just by implying the 3 other women deserve a portion of the winnings is tantamount to admitting they should share in the pool. I think it would be very nice if each of the winners gave them a large gift, but that's totally separate.
I agree. It sounds like there may be a chance of a lawsuit. Hopefully, it doesn't happen, but that is a lot of money and money changes some people.
"Famico said employees of the office had a regular Powerball pool, but only eight of the 11 women were in it last week."
I'm assuming this means there were drawings when all 11 were in the pool and when the spokesman said "we will give them some of the money", a lawsuit is very likely. They have an office with 11 women, 8 of the women get $17 million and the 3 women are dependant on the generosity of the other 8.
Do the women in the Sheriff's tax office carry guns?
Although the odds of winning are very slim, this is a good example to show that every agreement should be in writing with the rules clearly stated.
If the 3 women played regularly but decided they were wasting their money on a dream, then they really are not entitled to any of the jackpot. We just don't know the circumstances here.
This is why I just say NO to office lottery pools...first of all, there goes your wish for anonymity as someone is going to go blab, blab, blah to the entire world. Second, if everyone with whom you work do not participate all the time, you have a situation like the present one crop up. Third, I like the notion of it just being me winning all that cash (cash value BTW). Fourth, emphasis on my first point as many people I associate with do not believe in playing the lottery...so I will want to keep my source under wraps. Fifth, I want to become a very, very wealthy black guy...not just a well off black guy. Well, last year was the year of convicts winning and everyone but me winning...I declare this to be my year to step into the jackpot circle...albeit anonymously!
I like pools. I just can't find one in my area. I know there are several.
When Jack Whitaker won his millions, it was reported that he bought a waitress a home for $80K and she was disappointed because she was expecting something nicer and enough extra cash to maintain it. Others were mad because he set up a foundation with local churches to help the needy and people not from the area felt they weren't getting a fair chance at his winnings.
I was in a pool where we used the lotto numbers to play a made up game and a small percentage was used to buy QPs. Everybody would pick 6 lotto numbers and the first player to have his six numbers drawn won the pool. The pool was limited to 30 players at $5 a drawing. When the lotto was up to a fixed amount, half of that drawing's prize fund would be used to buy QPs.
We all had to pick 6 numbers and pay $10 to be in the next game, everybody got copy of all the players, their numbers, and the QPs. Any money won in the lotto would be split between those players. Had we won the jackpot, I suppose we could have been sued by somebody that had been in other games, but I don't know how they could prove they should have been included in that game.
When I read about pools where some people are always in and out a red flag goes up. Hopefully this pool won't be sued, but when the spokesman acknowledged the other 3 women were entitled to some of the winnings, she certainly opened the door.
any good lawyer would simply take the case on the foundation, ya snooze ya lose! Sorry but if ya didnt pay, ya dont get to decide how the winners money is divided up. A contract has three parts, consent, parameter (guidelines) and signatures..it doesnt have to be written.
My lottery pool is three people, me,myself and I. *grin*
Not a fan of large groups winning but hey, so be it. Just sorry that it had to be a group of women who cant learn to be quiet til AFTER they collect the money. The only gain of this is, the lady who plans to stay at her job a little while. She at least doesnt count her chickens before they are hatched.
I agree with you, GameGrl, but the problem is that frivolous lawsuits aren't that uncommon these days. Remember the man who found a scratch-off in the trash and had to fight in court to collect the money? That was in MA and, even after the Lottery ruled in his favor, he still had legal battles to fight.