California office pool claims $543 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Aug 3, 2018, 2:59 pm (69 comments)

Mega Millions

By Todd Northrop

The California Lottery says last month's $543 million Mega Millions jackpot was won by 11 members of an office pool that played on a whim.

A Lottery statement Friday says Roland Reyes and the others showed up at its Hayward office on the east side of San Francisco Bay the day after the July 24 draw.

The members declined to say where they work, other than that it is in the financial industry and they plan to keep their jobs — despite winning $47.5 million each.

"It was spur of the moment. 'Hey, did you hear about the jackpot? We should play,'" one of the winners, Roland Reyes, told the California Lottery.

Everyone pitched in $2 and got a huge return on their investment.

The group declined to speak to media or be photographed. The pool members' ages range from 21 to 60.

"We want to keep our jobs," one winner said. "We love that company. We love what we've built there. We have a good time and want to stay together."

The group's total payout is $543 million over 29 years or a lump-sum option of $320.5 million. Both options are before taxes.

The winning ticket was sold at Ernie's Liquors in San Jose. Reyes said the group figured they had a better chance at winning if they bought their tickets from a small shop.

The owner of Ernie's Liquors received a $1 million bonus for selling the jackpot ticket, lottery officials said.

It's the second major lottery jackpot won in San Jose over the past few years. In 2013, a California delivery driver won half of a $648 million Mega Millions jackpot in the city. (See California delivery driver claims half of $648 million jackpot, Lottery Post, Jan. 3, 2014.)

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Raven62's avatarRaven62

California's Lucky Eleven!

music*'s avatarmusic*

"The group declined to speak to media or be photographed."   This is a very smart thing to do. They are protecting their private lives as well as where they work. 

 $47.5 million each!! Before taxes. 

 The owner of Ernie's Liquors was hoping for a 1% of the jackpot amount. He had to settle for only $1 million dollars USD. 

 I enjoy the song by the Carpenters, "Do you know the way to San Jose?"

Party

Dd2160's avatarDd2160

Wow thats the best news I've read all day.

congrats and happy spending!!

Bleudog101

music*; Dionne Warwick sang that a long time before the Carpenters ever did!

 

Another feel good story for the week!

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

With the cash option minus federal taxes divided by 11.... Take home of $18.3 Million each....
and still want to keep your jobs ?   You lucky folks are much more dedicated than I am.... 

Enjoy your newly acquired richesHurray!

noise-gate

This is a feel good story on many levels.lnstead of a single winner, we have 11. By all accounts, their contribution to winning this sizable jackpot : $22.00- total.

More importantly: No photo shoot, no names being given except Roland who l take it, is carrying one for the team. Roland is probably single, no gf, ex wife who can come after him for who knows what.The others are divulging very little about themselves or their plans & private life-Nice! This is exactly the way l would do it. But first, l have to win...

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Love this story. They may be keeping their jobs a bit so they can properly divest from clients and assign their work to others. They could have some sort of license so they want to remain in good standing. I keep telling myself I could wind down and transfer my work load in a month.

gatorsrok

Good to hear that a group of people got to enjoy the prize instead of just one person.  The State of California was the second big winner with the taxes they will collect on the winnings.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by gatorsrok on Aug 3, 2018

Good to hear that a group of people got to enjoy the prize instead of just one person.  The State of California was the second big winner with the taxes they will collect on the winnings.

What taxes gator? The one Freebie CA gives lottery winners, is no taxes on their winnings.The Feds are a total different story though.

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

Good for the group.

Never assume a solo winner.

Remember in Bruce Almighty when he tried to answer everyone's prayers and the next scene was a guy in a car that yelled out "The lottery sucks, I won $17."?

gatorsrok

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Aug 3, 2018

What taxes gator? The one Freebie CA gives lottery winners, is no taxes on their winnings.The Feds are a total different story though.

I did not know that.  Well then that is quite a tax savings.  One of the few.

dannyct

It's great that they could remain anonymous. It's also great that they didn't start scrabbling about the jackpot, as many syndicates do.

 

Good luck to them!

wander73's avatarwander73

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Aug 3, 2018

"The group declined to speak to media or be photographed."   This is a very smart thing to do. They are protecting their private lives as well as where they work. 

 $47.5 million each!! Before taxes. 

 The owner of Ernie's Liquors was hoping for a 1% of the jackpot amount. He had to settle for only $1 million dollars USD. 

 I enjoy the song by the Carpenters, "Do you know the way to San Jose?"

Party

I agree.  Second you.  Awesome

Redd55

You can not remain anonymous in California.  The only way would be for only one person to claim and then pay additional gift taxes when he gave the other 10 their cut who would also have to pay taxes - both state & federal, on their cut.  Insane. 

I dont know why the paper didnt publish their names now but I am sure some one will. Regardless, you could probably send an email to the Calif lottery and request the names which must be public by law. 

Anyway, if you want to feel like one of the lucky eleven, buy a MM ticket for tonight. The take home is $18,648,000 after federal taxes. 

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