Includes video report
By Todd Northrop
FALL RIVER, Mass. — A retried U.S. Navy civilian worker from Fall River, Massachusetts, came forward Thursday to claim his Powerball jackpot, Massachusetts lottery officials said.
James "Jimmy" Freeman won $25.6 million in the Powerball drawing on June 8. Lottery officials said he opted for the one-time, lump sum payment of $13.4 million before taxes. He came forward to claim his jackpot just several hours after learning he won the massive prize.
Freeman's jackpot-winning Powerball ticket is the first sold in the state since the multi-state game was introduced to Massachusetts players in January 2010.
The winning numbers in the June 8 Powerball drawing were 14, 37, 44, 45, and 53, with Powerball number 29.
Freeman said he plays a few dollars around town — mostly Quick Picks — and he has always prayed and dreamed that he would someday win a big jackpot. His ticket that day was a Quick Pick.
The winning ticket was purchased at Joe's Market located 1132 Robeson St. in Fall River. The store owner, Gunvantkumar Patel, will receive $50,000 commission on the sale.
On Thursday morning, Freeman's good friend Russ Gamson called him at 7:30 am urging Freeman to check his Powerball tickets because the winning ticket was sold in Fall River. Once he realized that he had won, Freeman said, "Oh my God Russ, it's me — I won the jackpot."
Gamson accompanied Freeman to lottery headquarters as the big winner claimed his prize.
Freeman said he plans on buying a car, a Hyundai Elantra with a remote starter, with his winnings. It will take approximately two weeks to process the multi-state prize payment.
The last time a multi-state jackpot was won in Massachusetts was on July 2, 2004 when Geraldine Williams, a retired janitor from Lowell, won a $294 million Mega Millions prize.
congratulations to the winner
Way to go Mr. Freeman ...................
............ and tomorrow "dpoly1" should be the first Mega Millions Jackpot winner from Pennsylvania !!!!
Well, Mr. Freeman, you showed your picture -- don't expect any peace of mind, but, congratulations to you and your significant other. I'm sure the additional $$ will come in handy. If your house is paid off, get out of dodge, quickly -- without telling anyone: relocate, relocate, relocate!
yes, by all means get out of fall river the decadent old mill town should be in your rear view mirror of your huyndai? you should consider a cadillac escalade instead or something that will last longer than that cheaply made vehicle...
I am very sure that I would not submit to a television interview like that !
No pictures no interviews .............. just what is required by law !
CONGRATULATIONS JIMMY FREEMAN!!!!!!
That is sooooo Awesome for you - Enjoy & Be Careful
I wish him well and if hes smart he'll get the heck out of dodge and get something armored after that interview
Congrats on the win..! Wish you well on your jackpot win...!
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Where's Sorpio now ??? What no comment on the Mass Win ?
Congrats Mr.Freeman
"Freeman said he plays a few dollars around town — mostly Quick Picks — and he has always prayed and dreamed that he would someday win a big jackpot. His ticket that day was a Quick Pick."
As many Lottery Post players do, I watch with the eye of an eagle for trends and patterns.
And I am seeing the development or distinct validation of three of them after studying recent news stories on jackpot winners.
The following three things have been proven and validated:
1. It helps to pray to win a jackpot
2. Quick Picks are the best choice to win a jackpot
3. Almost every store in the country is owned by somebody named Patel
rdgrnr, wasn't Patel the name of that store owner in Dunn that cashed in that lady's cash 5 ticket and told her it wasn't a winner.lol
Odds are it was! lol
Congrats Mr. Freeman, Enjoy.
and he has always prayed and dreamed that he would someday win a big jackpot. His ticket that day was a Quick Pick.
watch for the Vatican coming nocking on his door...
if this is true, there is evidence there is a subconcious...that there is more thant what the eyes see...
there was someone with chris paine who won PB with something with the unconcious, many people who have won and come on on that famous tv show say they always felt they were going to win....you got the dream guy with pick4....and NOBOODDDDYY has won saying they got a system...