A 68-year-old New Jersey man claimed a $24.1 million New York lottery jackpot two days before the ticket was due to expire after seeing a story on the evening news about how time was running out for the winner to step forward.
Jimmie Smith, of East Orange, went to his closet where an old, favorite shirt with a pocket full of unchecked tickets was hung.
Remarkably, the retired security guard found the lucky ticket he had just seen discussed on television.
"I ended up with a stack — a pile of tickets, including the one they were talking about on the news," the father of two and grandfather of 12 told lottery officials. "I stood there for a minute thinking, 'Do I see what I think I see?' I had to stick my head out the window and breathe in some fresh air. I was in serious doubt. I really had to convince myself this was real."
Though Smith stepped forward on May 23, New York lottery officials waited until Wednesday to announce him as the winner. Officials said in the spring that the prize had been claimed and that the winner would revealed "in the near future pending completion of the Lottery's security background review."
Smith told lottery officials he's been buying tickets in New Jersey and New York since the 1960s, but has never been in a rush to see if they're winners.
"I always told myself, 'I'll check them when I have the time,' " he said.
Smith decided to take the annuity, meaning he'll receive the money in laddered payments over 26 years instead of taking a lump sum for a lesser amount.
The winning numbers were 5, 12, 13, 22, 25, and 35. Smith bought the ticket at a grocery and tobacco shop at 158 Church Street in the Tribecca neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.
Lotto is similar to the Pick 6 in New Jersey — a player must match all six numbers to hit the jackpot. Smaller prizes aware awarded for matching three, four or five numbers.
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LMAO...basically-he-won-two-Jackpots...One-for-the-winning-ticket...and-the-other-being-able-to-find-it-before-the-expiration-date...
HUH???
WOW, the annuity...really ?
Well at least the scammers will have a difficult time finding Jimmie Smith.
Wake Up and Check Your Tickets Before the Winners Expire!
"Though Smith stepped forward on May 23, New York lottery officials waited until Wednesday to announce him as the winner. Officials said in the spring that the prize had been claimed and that the winner would revealed "in the near future pending completion of the Lottery's security background review."
Almost 5 months of a security background review??? WTF.......
Annuity will help keep the parasites and scavengers away, trying to get some of his money.
The lottery officials probably thought he was collecting for someone.
So, he had to wait 5 months to get HIS money???!!!
Congraduation Mr. Smith WTG
Yep, haymaker, in most states if winning lottery ticket holder doesn't claim within 2 months of the drawing they can't receive the preferred "lump sum" payment method.
So, folks, check your lottery tickets at least weekly.
Jimmie didn't mention a woman in his statement, perhaps he lost his love awhile back. But his starting out with some serious cash on hand, without a woman* l think.If things were good for Jimmie, it's gonna get a whole lot better.
Slow roast it Jimmie, slow roast it! You got time.
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Yes sir. I do that. In fact. I check my tickets weekly - when I get the following week's tickets.
I check the previous tickets on that finicky scanner. But I trust it as it nets me about $2 almost every other week.
But, yes, definitely check those tickets. And don't let anything distract you from it
(like women, too much 100 proof rum, etc.)
Wait a minute, are you saying he was forced to take the annuity ?
The story said he decided to take it.
He won in New York, in Jersey we have to make the choice when we buy the tix.
That is a nice chunk of change to help soften the blow of retirement income.
Jimmy, first and foremost, Congrats. Your story is truly a minor miracle.
You have taught me what NOT to do in storing and checking lottery tickets. You have also convinced me that the old statement of "With age comes wisdom" does not apply to all cases. While choices do have consequences, collecting the majority of the annuity payout will transpire when you are well into your late 80 and early 90s(if still alive)gives me thoughts that I don't want to speak with your legal team(if there was one) With that being said, Thank-you very much for the education.
Congratulations
--he probably set it up for his children to receive any remaining annuity payments he's not around to collect.