Includes video report
A 44-year-old Michigan railroad engineer said he quit his job and told familly members to do the same when he learned he had won the third-largest winner's share ever for a U.S. lottery drawing.
Donald Lawson was accompanied by his two daughters and his mother, whom he jokingly called "Mama Warbucks," when he was introduced as the winner of the multi-state Powerball lottery on Friday.
"I'm a millionaire now, but I'll still eat at McDonald's," Lawson told a news conference in the Michigan capital of Lansing. "I don't like filet mignon or lobster."
Lawson, who said he had played the lottery "too much" in the past, quit his job the day he learned that he was the winner. And he told all of his close family members to retire, "and they had no problem with that."
He chose to take his money all at once rather than to take annual payments that would have added up to $337 million. Instead he will get a payout of $224.6 million, which will be $158.7 million after federal and Michigan taxes.
Lawson lives in Lapeer, Michigan, about 60 miles (97 kilometres) north of Detroit, where he bought his winning lottery ticket for $2 at a Sunoco gas station and convenience store.
He said he filled out his own lottery entry rather than let a machine make his picks, and used no system to select his winning numbers — 6, 27, 46, 51 and 56, with a Powerball of 21.
"I didn't really pick 'em," he said. "My hand just went."
He said he checked his numbers by looking online once someone told him that the winning ticket had been purchased at the local Sunoco station.
Lawson said he read the numbers backward and once he realized he was holding the single winning ticket, "I kind of lost my breath."
Lawson grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and moved to Lapeer 10 years ago. He is going to move away from Lapeer, but he did not say where, although he did say he has always wanted to travel.
"Now I can go anywhere in the world I want, so that's what I'm going to do," he said.
His mother, whose name was not given, was asked whether she thought her son would handle his new fortune well.
"We come from poor people," she said. "He knows the value of a dollar."
VIDEO: Watch the press conference
(Click to display full-size in gallery)
(Click to display full-size in gallery)
(Click to display full-size in gallery)
Did he get the $4 for having the PB on line A ? LOL
Well of course...
That's awesome. Congratulations to you Mr. Donald Lawson. Enjoy your retirement, your family and friends are blessed to have a son/brother/husband, dad, friend etc, like you.
Regards...
Bob
I like that he quit his job right off the Bat,
Mabey opening a Job for someone who needs one.
BRAVO!!!!!
He seems like he has a better than average chance of handling this well. His $4 powerball win on line A paid for his Mcdonald's sandwich!
Congratulations Donald Lawson for picking the winning numbers yourself!
He likes McDonald's but doesn't like filet mignon or lobster?
He better get his taste buds checked out.
STORY UPDATED: Now you can watch the raw video of the news conference. See and hear the winner.
rdge.....I don't like seafood (will eat tunafish) and never eat red meat......so I am in the same camp. Of the 3, I'd take McDonalds (and I rarely go there). Now Thai food is another matter!
Roger on the Thai, Artist.
Especially some spicy Pad Se Ew.
You have to watch the video. He is pretty savvy actually. When someone asked him how many children he had he said two and replied" how many do you have?" lol He redirected the focus so they did not get into the followup question (ages of children, etc). Takes some poise to control a conference.
Best quote.... His hand just went to the lottery numbers on the slip...he did not pick them.
Awesome, thanks Todd.
In the background you can see "good things happen" I'm guessin thats MI. lottery slogan ?
I wonder if MI. lottery has a pic. of leroy fick w/ that background on their office wall ? LOL
"Best quote.... His hand just went to the lottery numbers on the slip...he did not pick them."
Ooooo like a Ouija board.
I want to do the same, create an opening, if fact i know a few ppl. who want my job,
the hard part would be figureing out which to recommend,
cause ya know, I'd have a lot more on my mind.
Don't play with Quija boards. It was the hand of God...or maybe an angel. So I hope he donates at least 10%.
I really tried picking my numbers that way once and my hand did nothing... so I quickly picked my own numbers and got 0 numbers.
Can you draw on your ticket like that? Seriously.
Just watched it. Seems like a nice guy who cares about his family.
I wish him well.
That thing he said about not picking the numbers, oddly enough though, reminded me of David Lee Edwards when he said he didn't pick the numbers - the numbers picked him.
I just hope this guy's life story turns out a lot better than Edwards' did and I'm sure it will.
Yeah, as long as you don't destroy any pertinent information.
I wonder if Michigan requires people to attend the press conference cause I sure as heck would not have gone if I didn't have to.
had the same thought about Edwards,
but this guy seems like he has his head screwed on right.
Good luck to him and his family. May they find peace, quiet and a home where no one can find them.
Drawing on the ticket is nothing. Do a search for, "Kim Claassen" she actually ripped up her winning powerball ticket because she thought the she had a losing ticket after she looked up the winning numbers for the wrong draw. Thankfully, the lottery still accepted the ticket.
Glad he bashed the government. 100 mill gone.
Roger that.
I think I'm gonna see if some numbers pick me out now on an extry ticket for MM and PB tonight and tomorrow.
Now I gotta head down the mountain to Buford's Septic Sludge Pumping & Gourmet Chili (Buford spells it "Gormay") and get the dadgum tickets.
Never heard that story. Just looked it up. Amazing! It would seem like a pen (especially a sharpie type one) would interfere with any sort of watermark validation or whatever they use.
Does Buford's have chicken soup in a sponge on the menu ? LOL
ewwwwww lol
As long as the bar code is readable, it doesn't make any differences. I use a pink high liter to mark my winning numbers. I'll show you if I win the MM jackpot tonight. Supposedly the terminals can't pick up red or pink.
lol I learned something new. I was always afraid to write on any winning ticket. Now when I have several pending ones in my purse and one I need to cash in, I will put a check mark on it so I don't think it is an old one.
You watched it? Don't tell me you broke down and got a fast Internet connection!
But Edwards said the numbers picked him....kind of like he was the annnointed one...some ego there. The new winner seems to be saying it was luck....or something else.
This guy reminds me of that Oregon Megabucks millionaire who just was comedic as a winner. You can only wish such people well.
After checking a ticket and finding it to be a loser I fold it in half horizontaly and make a small tear in it,
(I save the losers till the end of the year)
if i look @ it later, I know I checked it when I see the tear.
I've picked my numbers a few times using the "let your fingers do the walking" technique.
Had mixed results. Probably just as accurate as any of the best lotto systems out there.
Good idea too!
Well Congrats to the winner. I can remember all the time's I had filled in my numbers, just marking any number.
I guess it just was'nt my time to win. Well maybe tonight will be my turn, cause I did the same thing again, just marked any number on my ticket, like I always do. Let's hope he spends all that money wisely, cause if I had that much, I would live the rest of our life's comfortably in style.
I tried it, Im glad it worked for somebody.
he picked the same power ball twice randomly. when I was trying my luck that way, I think I actually paid attention that numbers are not the same. Does it mean I wasn't doing it randomly, since I was paying attention?
Hmmm, I gotta try it again being drunk, so I can be sure I'm not in control of my hands while they are busy picking the numbers.
When I have handpicked numbers and bought more than one ticket, I have played the same PB more than once (on purpose)
Good idea, that could be a winner.
Congrats to the newest Powerball winner.
Congrats. Hope he's married or at least taken. Or else he will be getting marriage proposals left and right from women (breaking tradition).
Congrats to the winner....
Finally broke down and got it? LOL. Hell Todd, I know people that ain't got electric yet, back up in here.
Them flatlanders down there always make sure we're at least about 30 years behind on everything.
Todd, you beat me to it! Good acquisition rdgrnr.
I think the PB jackpot winner was trying to say in regard to his numbers : He did not build that number set. Someone else built the numbers for him. ;)
I especially enjoyed the end of this attached video, where the MI Lottery Headquarters Director exclaimed: "Don't forget your check!" ... and everyone smiled and turned towards the GLORIOUS big check promo.
Congratulations, Donald, on your huge Powerball [$224,655,690.17 cash] jackpot, pre-taxed win and early retirement! It's a shame that you didn't add at least your two daughter's names on the MI Lottery's Official Claim Form; so that each would get their own house, car, and high percentage nest-egg ... too late now].
Congrats to Mr. Lawson and his family, hope they all can enjoy.
Congratulations to the winner! I hope he lives his life quietly, and is a great story regarding how to be a good lottery winner; I don't want to see him on "curse of the lottery" or any other lottery programs like Jack Whittaker or Dave Edwards or Mr. Fick & his wannabe pimp son "Mr. Slick"...
It's a shame that you didn't add at least your two daughter's names on the MI Lottery's Official Claim Form; so that each would get their own house, car, and high percentage nest-egg ..
He'll still be able to provide all that and more for them and he doesn't have to worry about them going off on their own and getting taken advantage of by some bum he can't stand. Besides, turning over 2/3 of your fortune to your children when you're only 44 is a bad idea.
Congrats on your new-found speed!
yup, exactly my point. Which means you weren't doing randomly, but rather picking them with some kind of thought. Unlike this guy, or so he says.
Congrats to the winner!
Good story, too. I wish him and his family well.
I keep all of my tickets for this very reason, even if I know they aren't a winner. I have OCD like that, where if I read the winning numbers and they don't match, I still get paranoid that mine may be a winner. You can't be too safe, ha!
Congratulations,Donald Lawson on your big win!
It shoulda been me,but since it wasn't I'm happy that it was you.
By the way, RJOh, one doesn't have to share the jackpot in even percentages.
Dadgum if 3 numbers didn't pick me out!
$30 with the Megaplier.
Might just try that again for my monthly tickets today instead of the one QP I usually get.
LOL, that reminded me of somebody here who said his luck was so bad that the lottery clerk hands him his tickets already torn up.
My research on doing things drunk hasn't shown a lot of promise.
So far.
I hope you're not suggesting that a woman's love, affection or marital preferences could be conditional, based solely on a man's personal wealth.
Because I would be shocked and appalled.
Thanks HaveABall, we're slowly catchin' up with the rest of the world though. We got it a lot better than the old timers around here used to.
Hell, Mamaw and Papaw didn't even have electricity, they had to watch tv by candlelight.
I'm glad he didn't use any quick picks, otherwise the win won't be legit.
Exactly! For as we all know, QP's that win are a big scam by the lottery exeuctives.
Every time I see a lottery winner smiling at a press conference I can't help but think that's probably going to be the last time they'll ever be happy. It's the last moment before that sweet innocence is lost forever. Little do they know that putting themselves out there like that will be the single worst decision of their life.
More often than not, going public means chaos, misery, and even death.
Your right. He should just end his life now before it's too late.
In fact, it should be mandatory that all lottery winners who go public, be immediately executed after receiving their checks.
Isn't playing the lottery fun?
Living the dream instead of chasing the dream....congratulations.
It was a nightmare for "jack" and all his people that had the luxury of quitting their jobs.
I hope it works out better for Donald.
Lmao,I would love to get behind the counter and do that to someone with a straight face. That would be so funny on camera.
Don't be surprised if it becomes a show on tv.
I have filled in 5 boxes at a time without looking or thinking about the numbers.
It never worked for me. But I only did it a few times.
Donald may have been doing it daily.
I'm saving mine to claim the losses on the tax return.
Lets us know how drinking and picking works out.
Congratulation to Donald Lawson on his Powerball Jackpot win. Since his mother believes he knows the value of a dollar. Donald Lawson, sound very down to earth. Best wishes to him & his family.
loved ur response......"lmao"lolololololkil especially:
"Hmmm, I gotta try it again being drunk, so I can be sure I'm not in control of my hands while they are busy picking the numbers."
U need to stoppppppp.....U R 2 FUNNY
Far More Often inspired by Genuine "LOVE".....
No Ronnie......."Jack".......went very very "Public" about winning his money...I mean he stayed out in the "Public" even carrying a Large sume of money $500,000.00 in his Van on one occassion, that's what turned his life and ultimately the lives of his family into a 'Nightmare'
That's true,
but Im talking about people around him who "quit their jobs" and lost their lives due to drug overdoses.
I'm sure Donald is a very well meaning person,
but I think it is a dis-service to give people a bunch of money and tell them "quit your job"
The current MM jackpot is $93 mil. If I ever win that sort of money, I would rather create jobs than make people to quit jobs.
I think he was trying to be humble while collection a big check. He likely means he doesn't have expensive tastes and if he eats out at McDonalds. Or on the other hand maybe he likes the taste of Wild Game better? To some people a nice pot of Squirrel or stewed Rabbit is better than about anything. To each their own. With his dough he can buy himself his own Mickey D's or whatever he wants...(Although the McDonalds in maine some times have lobster rolls and they are great!)
Giving people an opportunity to "quit their job" isn't telling them to "stop working". He gave them a chance to do work other than their job.
Yeah, I suppose doing drugs could be considered "other work"
Not suggesting that at all. It's just the way life is.
His relatives quitting their jobs means there will be new job openings for other people to fill.
Congratulations to Donald Lawson on is big win!
The article mentions that he spent just $2 on his winning ticket. The picture of the winning ticket show it cost him $8.
Don't you just love it when lottery officials always seem to minimize the amount wagered.
It would be funny....but I would be worried that the customer might be carrying a weapon. You never know these days...people do forget to take their meds.
I am glad to see a honest man win it..Now I hope he will stay away from too much McDs so called food and get into shape now that he has time to do it his way.. He is talking from a very modest nature but I think his taste of things will change after a while..
I musta been lookin' at the wrong line, it was only $21.
Hum, Ronnie316, if you research, you'll find that those two people who Jack loved weren't employed prior to Jack's win and sending them monies thereafter. Also, you'll find that Jack added 'more time' to working in his construction businesses.
Had Jack stopped working construction, etc. over 40 hours per week, and instead worked 2 hours per day investing and monitoring his new-found millions, it is highly probable that he and his family would be intact and closer together (like a lot of jackpot winners these days, who understand that non-monitary quantity doesn't lead to quality).
Ronnie316
I been searching the family tree all night and think I made the connection. WOO HOO.
PS. just kidding but I wonder how many are doing this right now.
RL
Good idea HaveABall, thanks for the advice.
I think we are all related somehow RL. Aren't we??
CB
I had something happen very similar when I hit a jackpot, I was about to press the run button
and I can't explain it but it was like something told me to make an adjustment and my hand
done it before I could even think about it. That one setting made all the difference. Weird!
RL
The same thing happened to me only the opposite. All my logic was telling me to do it a different way but I just stuck with my original intuition.
mcginnin56, yea, lol, but before getting executed, they should tell everyone they are going to disappear for a while.
Wait.... didn't he say he is going to disappear?
Oh my god, we are doomed, The Island movie is based on real facts, we are all clones. I always felt there is something wrong with this world.
"to give people a bunch of money and tell them "quit your job""
But isn't it what we do for every candidate running for government?
I volunteer to flip the switch on you myself, mcdoofus. Please win soon!!
Congrats to the Winner
Why thank you Nincompoop. Always good to know to know you have friends in a time of need.
But since I will never be going public, the only switch I will need flipping, is the mute button for all the ranting windbags.
I thought the the last line on his ticket was a quick pick.
His last number was a quick pick, must be this was not legit. Wonder when he will have to return the check.
He also said he played "too much" possible gambling issues??