Pennsylvania judge and friends win $291M Powerball jackpot

Mar 6, 2016, 8:50 am (50 comments)

Powerball

Bought ticket while vacationing in Florida

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — After a long ride back from his annual Florida vacation, Senior District Judge James Stocklas had enjoyed the sun and fun, but was anxious to get back home to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

After parking his RV in the driveway, Stocklas caught a few hours sleep and awoke Friday morning with plans to visit his favorite Bethlehem diner. While at breakfast, he pulled out his cellphone to see if anyone had won massive Powerball lottery.

His jaw dropped when he saw there was only one winning ticket that had been purchased in the same Florida town where Stocklas bought ice and $10 in tickets to share with two friends.

When Stocklas checked the numbers, he couldn't stop shaking. He had a match. He and his friends had just won more than $291 million.

"I was yelling and I bought everyone in the diner breakfast," Stocklas said. "When I found out, I was shaking for an hour straight."

The other winners are a local woman, whom Stocklas declined to identify, and Barry Bartakovits, who owns a pool business in Hellertown.

"This is like an amazing roller coaster ride," said Stocklas, who was back in Florida on Friday night.

After taxes, Stocklas said the three friends will have more than $40 million each.

The friends decided they had to immediately get to Florida to lay claim to their winnings and Stocklas called to rent a private jet.

When he found out the cost was $3,000 an hour — a total bill expected to ring up around $20,000 — Stocklas made his first big lottery purchase.

The friends bought several bottles of chilled champagne to share on the way down.

Much of the day was a blur of signing papers and watching their winnings winnow down with taxes, and on Friday night, Stocklas and the friends found themselves at an Applebee's restaurant for a quick bite before flying back home.

"I know, Applebee's," Stocklas chuckled. "We are really going top shelf, right?"

Stocklas serves as a senior district judge in Northampton County and said that won't change. He's already told court administrators he'll return to the courtroom April 1, no April Fool's joke.

"Oh, I'll be back on the bench," Stocklas said. "There's no doubt."

He said he'll use the money to help his family and set up several trust funds. He would also like to donate some of the money to charities.

He never expected a routine stop at a convenience store for some ice and lottery tickets could change his and his friends' lives forever.

"My phone has been ringing off the hook," Stocklas said. "I don't think I'm going to get much sleep tonight."

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Thanks to Raven62 and sandia for the tip.

Morning Call

Comments

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

Love the fact he chartered a private jet and then they ate at Applebees lol!!

 

Congrats to them!!

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

I had to laugh. A guy from PA winning PB in Florida!

You just never know when or where, or who.

I wonder how long til negative nellies bemoan that his name is out and he chartered a jet, yada, yada, yada. LOL.

OldSchoolPa's avatarOldSchoolPa

He could probably already afford to fly by chartered jet given that he owns a RV and is a Senior District Judge.  I never bemoan how other people spend their money but good luck on that plan to remain on the bench and in the community...he will be hounded to no end for handouts.

 

Personally, I would fly commercial flight to nearest city to lottery headquarters and then rent my own vehicle.  I figure commercial flying is the safest way to go and driving myself is definitely safer than relying on a driver.  I would have no problem with my name being published but I would not allow myself to be photographed without something covering up my body.  Why I just might show up to claim my prize wearing a burqa...and I am a man!

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Did they split it evenly?

schmuckatelly's avatarschmuckatelly

I love the $7.00 check, lol!

duckman's avatarduckman

Another Quick Pick wins big. No system - just luck!

LottoNXN

I agree old school papa

Redd55

I had originally read that the winner was a one line quick pick. Looks like the judge bought $10 worth of tickets or 5 lines.  I think I would have just booked first class.

music*'s avatarmusic*

 Congratulations to Senior District Judge in North Hampton County James Stocklas!!!

James, Barry Bartakovits and an unidentified woman wasted no time in getting to Tallahasee, Florida. No lawyers, no guards, no CPA, no CFP, no media specialist, no insurance agent.

 I see how being a Judge brings you closer to Law Enforcement. Help is a phone call away.

golfer1960's avatargolfer1960

Quote: Originally posted by duckman on Mar 6, 2016

Another Quick Pick wins big. No system - just luck!

Yes, QP's are lucky. I need some luck now too.

Thegreenpirate

This seems like a inside Fraud to me!!! No wonder why Cynthia O Connell got canned I'm not playing anymore they cheating and the Michael Tipton case blew the cover off the whole MUSL fraud operation fake winners!! #rigged

xstreamgaming15's avatarxstreamgaming15

It's nice that a group of friends won the $292 Mil Powerball Jackpot then just a sole individual. A little over forty million after taxes everyone gets a big piece of the pie.

sweetie7398's avatarsweetie7398

Congratulations!!!

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by xstreamgaming15 on Mar 6, 2016

It's nice that a group of friends won the $292 Mil Powerball Jackpot then just a sole individual. A little over forty million after taxes everyone gets a big piece of the pie.

Is Florida like Kentucky and Indiana in the fact that the latter two states will cut separate checks?  This relieves the purchaser of a huge tax burden, everyone pays their own taxes thanks to these lotteries.

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