Winner of $56 Million CA Lottery Jackpot Too Busy To Claim Prize

Comment #24

TNPATL — Fri, 13 May 2005 13:58:26 GMT

Either this person liked their job, or was very loyal. Because I would be calling my job telling them I'm too busy to come in.

Comment #23

BabyJC — Thu, 12 May 2005 15:50:41 GMT

Intelligent, rational people would have to think that it was a prank call -- But when you do think of all the morons that keep working after hitting the lottery, you know better! LOL

Comment #22

Deadsantaclaus — Thu, 12 May 2005 15:17:15 GMT

Do you actually collect some of the jackpot on your visit to the California lottery headquarters? I realize you have to fill out forms and such on the visit. I ve read before that in some states you might wait up to 6 weeks before you see the first payment. If this guy lives from check to check then just up and quitting might not be in his best interest. He might be attempting to lawyer up! Which might not be a bad thing especially if he s in California illegally.

Comment #21

Todd — Thu, 12 May 2005 14:01:04 GMT

Agreed, but it's a shame that winners have to take a percentage off the top of their prize if they want to change their mind. It would be better for everyone if all states gave the winners the choice of changing their mind (or not requesting the annuity/cash selection up-front).

Comment #20

mjwinsmith — Thu, 12 May 2005 12:12:06 GMT

If you got a lump sum and wanted an annuity you could always buy one, that's what Insurance companies sell. If you had an annuity and wanted a lump sum there are plenty of companies out their that would BUY it from you for a fee. Bottom line, where money is involved there are ALWAYS options.

Comment #19

Todd — Thu, 12 May 2005 11:45:39 GMT

Cash Only got some e-mail replies from the NY Lottery indicating that their lawyers think that they can't legally let someone change their mind after the drawing. I can't remember the convoluted reasoning behind it, but it sounded like a freshman lawyer out of school put it together. Somehow the majority of other states are running roughshod over the law, and illegally giving players the option of changing their mind.

Comment #18

fbird — Thu, 12 May 2005 11:39:19 GMT

lets see a ROCKET SCIENTIST??? NO a BRAIN SURGEON!!! oh there is a brain involved? LOL......

Comment #17

LOTTOMIKE — Thu, 12 May 2005 11:34:44 GMT

if that was the guy who called he has thinking issues,lol

Comment #16

LOTTOMIKE — Thu, 12 May 2005 11:34:11 GMT

a double shift???? why work a double with that money waiting

Comment #15

JimmySand9 — Thu, 12 May 2005 06:43:23 GMT

They draw at 8:00? That seems pretty early for a game of this magnitude.

Comment #14

dvdiva — Thu, 12 May 2005 04:58:31 GMT

I wouldn't even believe it unless I read the ticket codes and verified the ticket with the state lottery. After that I'd tell my boss what he could do with my job. Same day service for that one.

Comment #13

Tnplayer805 — Thu, 12 May 2005 04:43:49 GMT

Yeah I know you can do that in GA. It even says that on the Web Site. I don't know about California though. I don't even know why they put that option on the tickets.

Comment #12

weshar75 — Thu, 12 May 2005 02:55:42 GMT

It must have not sunk in yet that he is 56 million dollars richer today than he was yesterday. I would go get my prize and work would wait. He could call in sick for one day.

Comment #11

DrumSlinger — Thu, 12 May 2005 02:45:51 GMT

I agree, $56Million too busy to claim!? My goodness. Hey Mega Millions, welcome to California! Seems like it will take forever for June 24th to get here. What I think will be exciting to see is when the California Super Lotto reaches $85Million, it grows just like the Mega Millions, which theoritically means the Mega Millions JP's could double/double after California gets in. $500Million very possible.

Comment #10

Todd — Thu, 12 May 2005 00:40:22 GMT

No, there's no LAW, only guidelines. Lotteries do not REQUIRE states to follow this, and some states don't. New York, for example.

Comment #9

castles — Thu, 12 May 2005 00:38:19 GMT

I am about 95% sure that regardless of what a state's rules used to say, a Federal law now allows anyone to change from annuity to cash, within a specific time frame, even if the state requires you to make a choice at the time of purchase. I do not believe, however, that you can switch from Cash to Annuity.

Comment #8

MillionsWanted — Thu, 12 May 2005 00:23:05 GMT

If I won I would be TO BUSY claiming my win to be able do anything else.

Comment #7

lottolady24 — Wed, 11 May 2005 21:09:29 GMT

I agree with you personally, but if someone who has no concept of money management was to win $10 million, ($5 million for lump sum, actual cash value) walk with around $3 million after taxes. They think they are wrth $10 million. $3 million (although I most certainly wouldn't complain) is pretty easy to blow these days. One big giant house, a couple of nice cars, pay off all debt and you can't afford to pay your taxes. At least with payments they would have another check coming after gettin... [ More ]

Comment #6

CalifDude — Wed, 11 May 2005 20:28:50 GMT

I would always take lump sum. If you took the payments for the $10 million, you would get about $120,000 a year BEFORE taxes. Remember, you get ONE check per year. If you quit your job and blow your first check in the first 3 months...you are broke for the next 9 months! Did you see the article here on LP about Massachusetts allowing people that had taken annual payments to instead get a lump sum? They had to pay something for it, but I think it was 270 people that came forward requesting i... [ More ]

Comment #5

CalifDude — Wed, 11 May 2005 20:21:22 GMT

Very possible. I thought of that, too.

Comment #4

paki — Wed, 11 May 2005 20:19:57 GMT

could be a prank call....

Comment #3

lottolady24 — Wed, 11 May 2005 20:17:47 GMT

Really? That's interesting. The lump sum or payment options really depend on the jackpot amount. For me, at $56 million it would definately be a lump sum, but anything less than $10 million the payments might be the best way to go for someone who doesn't know how to invest.

Comment #2

CASH Only — Wed, 11 May 2005 20:03:30 GMT

CA requires the cash/annuity choice to be made when you play.

Comment #1

CalifDude — Wed, 11 May 2005 20:03:15 GMT

I wasn't the winner! And I would NOT be too busy to claim my ticket.

Winner of $56 Million CA Lottery Jackpot Too Busy To Claim Prize

Lottery Post — Wed, 11 May 2005 19:58:52 GMT

California Lottery officials announced the winning ticket for last Saturday s $56 million SuperLOTTO Plus jackpot was sold at Broadway Food Corner in Los Angeles. A young man telephoned our Santa Fe Springs District Office earlier today and said he held the winning ticket, said Acting Director Chon Gutierrez. The gentleman told our district manager in Santa Fe Springs that he could not claim his ticket because he had to work a double shift and would try to come back sometime later this week,