Quick Links   You last visited May 16, 2022, 8:03 pm All times shown are Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Retired NY principal claims $326M lottery jackpot Mega Millions: Retired NY principal claims $326M lottery jackpotRating:A retired Sullivan County, New York, school principal drew the sole winning ticket from a $326 million Mega Millions game two months ago, making him the biggest winner in state lottery history, officials said Monday. Harold Diamond, 80, purchased the winning multi-state ticket at a Valero gas station in Middletown on Nov. 4. Diamond had 60 days to contact lottery officials, and the Wurtsboro resident finally did so just before Christmas. Diamond was identified during an event at that Valero on Monday. The lottery winner and his wife arrived in a limo, were cheered by onlookers and handed a giant bouquet of red roses. He'll get to select his winning payout — either 30 annuitized payments or a lump sum of $197.45 million, which accounts for state and federal taxes. It's the biggest payout in Empire State history, as Diamond topped "The Albany 7," a group of state employees who divided a $319 million jackpot in March, 2011. A San Jose, Calif., man, David Bruckner, claimed a $202 million payout on a ticket he purchased when visiting family on Long Island in late 2011. Aubrey Boyce, an MTA collections agent from Kew Gardens, scored a $133 jackpot in 2009. The owner of the Valero station where Diamond made the lucky purchase will get $10,000. "We were all excited," station owner Michael Nafash, 53. "It's a big event for the store to sell a winning ticket." Employee Irma Reyes, 22, sold Diamond his winning ticket. "I only found out last night. The manager kept it a secret," Reyes said. "I was surprised excited ... everything at the same time." The employee admitted she didn't recall Diamond's face. "I probably see 100 faces a day. It's pretty hard to remember who you sold it to," she said. "I'm just happy it's someone from around here." (Click to display full-size in gallery)
NY Post
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NEW YORK United States Member #90531 April 29, 2010 12739 Posts Offline | A retired Sullivan County, New York, school principal drew the sole winning ticket from a $326 million Mega Millions game two months ago, making him the biggest winner in state lottery history, officials said Monday. Harold Diamond, 80, purchased the winning multi-state ticket at a Valero gas station in Middletown on Nov. 4. Diamond had 60 days to contact lottery officials, and the Wurtsboro resident finally did so just before Christmas. Diamond was identified during an event at that Valero on Monday. The lottery winner and his wife arrived in a limo, were cheered by onlookers and handed a giant bouquet of red roses. He'll get to select his winning payout — either 30 annuitized payments or a lump sum of $197.45 million, which accounts for state and federal taxes. It's the biggest payout in Empire State history, as Diamond topped "The Albany 7," a group of state employees who divided a $319 million jackpot in March, 2011. A San Jose, Calif., man, David Bruckner, claimed a $202 million payout on a ticket he purchased when visiting family on Long Island in late 2011. Aubrey Boyce, an MTA collections agent from Kew Gardens, scored a $133 jackpot in 2009. The owner of the Valero station where Diamond made the lucky purchase will get $10,000. "We were all excited," station owner Michael Nafash, 53. "It's a big event for the store to sell a winning ticket." Employee Irma Reyes, 22, sold Diamond his winning ticket. "I only found out last night. The manager kept it a secret," Reyes said. "I was surprised excited ... everything at the same time." The employee admitted she didn't recall Diamond's face. "I probably see 100 faces a day. It's pretty hard to remember who you sold it to," she said. "I'm just happy it's someone from around here." (Click to display full-size in gallery)
$10 INVESTMENT TURNED INTO $326 MILLION. | | |
NEW YORK. RIVERHEAD United States Member #106366 February 17, 2011 9716 Posts Offline | WOW congrats to him . 
PETS#=105-215 | | |
South Carolina United States Member #155837 May 31, 2014 1983 Posts Offline | | | |
United States Member #141028 April 2, 2013 1481 Posts Offline | Time for a permanent cruise, around the world. Nice!!!. Seek and ye shall find -Matt. 7:7 ...Ask and ye shall receive -John 16:24 ...Give and it shall be given unto you -Luke 6:38 ...Be careful what you ask for!!! -Mypiemaster 1:1 Having Money Solves Problems That Not Having Money Creates ****John Carlton**** | | |
* In hot pursuit of $ *
White Shores- California United States Member #136471 December 12, 2012 6799 Posts Offline | Congratulations Harold & the Mrs. Wow- talk about a 80 year old " Diamond in the rough"-you earned it Big guy, enjoy your wealth & live long and prosper. . 
* Voice of Reason * * People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it- George Bernard Shaw. | | |
Massachusetts United States Member #37432 April 14, 2006 2747 Posts Offline | More than anything else, I love to see a picture of the winning ticket. Quick pick #2 was the winner. Congratulations Mr Diamond. I'd change my name to be Mr Platinum That money's gone fo ever | | |
USA United States Member #152792 February 25, 2014 1111 Posts Offline | $10 INVESTMENT TURNED INTO $326 MILLION. At 80 years young, I would venture to guess that he will take the lump sum thus bypassing the 30-year annuity. The cash payout is $197 million BEFORE any taxes are deducted and his net take home pay after all New York state and local tax obligations are met will be roughly $95 million. I hope he has many wonderful years left to enjoy his windfall. | | |
Idaho United States Member #56504 November 21, 2007 7821 Posts Offline | Congrats to Mr. Diamond on his big win!  | | |
Columbus, Ohio United States Member #128900 June 5, 2012 599 Posts Offline | That's a nice win but the reality is that his offspring will truly enjoy it. Congrats! | | |
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mid-Ohio United States Member #9 March 24, 2001 20272 Posts Offline | With CLAIMED stampped on it, retailers don't have to worry about someone trying to cash it again. * you don't need to buy every combination, just the winning ones *
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New Jersey United States Member #80352 September 25, 2009 723 Posts Offline | Congrats to the Diamonds and the Valero gas station owner. Lesson here that we only have 60 days to contact the lottery commission. That's news to me thought we had one year to claim the prize. Is that a N.Y. state requirement or Mega Game requirement? I better read the back of the betting slip next time to be sure. 
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New Jersey United States Member #80352 September 25, 2009 723 Posts Offline | Thanks Todd for the copy of the winning ticket. All quick picks, just an amazing wager and winning prize. 
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Columbus, Ohio United States Member #128900 June 5, 2012 599 Posts Offline | The 60 days or a yr doesn't matter to me, I'll collect the next business day. | | |
Fresno, California United States Member #157849 August 2, 2014 3959 Posts Offline | I am Jealous & envious too. Congratulations to the winner. Good Luck to all LP members this week !
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