$55 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot claimed by immigrant couple

Comment #17

JackpotWanna — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 13:52:59 GMT

How do you deposit $1.59 million in your checking account? There must be a special account created.

Comment #16

GeekProphet — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 01:10:33 GMT

Here is how it works.

As the money comes in, they calculate how much the expected jackpot is going to be. They then save 1/26th of that in cash (i.e. one year's installment if the yearly payment option is used).

The remainder is then used to purchase various negotiable and very stable instruments, such as T-bills, such that as they mature, they will supply each year's installment of 1/26th of the jackpot's value, for 25 years.

When someone wins, they are given the first payment, and th... [ More ]

Comment #15

CA LotteryGuy — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 17:17:11 GMT

starchild_45...thanks for your response. While the article states that the winners got a check that day, I do not think the amount was determined by what the State of Washington collected for that jackpot.

For that particular jackpot run Washington collected $2,453,434. The amount set aside for the MM jackpot is 31.8% or $780,192 for this run, far below the $1.59 million the winners got that day.

I found it interesting that the winners got a check equal to the first years annuity paymen... [ More ]

Comment #14

JackpotWanna — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 15:45:29 GMT

I wish it was me. $55 Million please come my way.

Comment #13

starchild_45 — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 02:36:32 GMT

I can't answer your other questions but i can answer this one. Do you think the lottery actually gave them a check that day for $1.59 million? yes this is standard procedure for powerball and megamillion winnings.

win some one wins one of these games top prizes they collect immediately (minus taxes) what the state collected in that game. then the other states have to figure out what they collected and then forward it on the winning state. this takes 3 to 4 weeks.

the biggest one i saw wa... [ More ]

Comment #12

Litebets27 — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 22:09:23 GMT

Congratulations to the Rattanakones on their win. I was feeling pretty confident that week that I was holding the winning ticket. Of course, I wasn't.

I like the fact that they were being truthful to themselves about continuing to play the lottery after their win.

Too many people say they will stop playing after such a win, even those who habitually have to run out and play everyday will lie to themselves by saying, if I win the jackpot, I'm going to stop playing.

I wish them much luck.... [ More ]

Comment #11

petergrfn — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:47:24 GMT

I hope it wasn't this guy you were talking about

Lottery winner arrested

Ralph Stebbins accused of stabbing man

http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061012/NEWS01/610120302/1002

A news story I saw on google if so this guy is off to a bad start and will likely end up like Jack Whittaker regretting his lottery win instead of laying low and enjoying the money.

Comment #10

dingo — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:31:31 GMT

dreams do come true ,,,,,,,sometimes

One day prior to the drawing I had a dream. No 6 and 37 were all I saw, the rest in the middle of the numbers were very blurry.

On Sunday I dreamt that I was holding a winning ticket for $90 Mil. When I looked at it, I only saw number 5 -- -- -- -- and 12. Just like that. The feeling of winning the lottery is awsome even in dream. During last week I had two sweet dreams, this and the other. Could anyone here read a dream? I had a strange... [ More ]

Comment #9

gocart1 — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 23:09:27 GMT

dreams do come true ,,,,,,,sometimes

Comment #8

justxploring — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 23:04:31 GMT

I agree ---- that is, as long as he's still there when you get back

Comment #7

CA LotteryGuy — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 22:01:41 GMT

liberal47...thanks for the information. Sounds like a great plan to get the amount of money the equal to the first years annuity payment (which would be in cash, whether you chose annuity or lump-sum) and then let your financial advisors handle the rest

Comment #6

liberal47 — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 21:44:55 GMT

In Michigan, and apparently Washingtion, you do have the option to ask your state lottery for a portion of the winnings, and have them hold the rest til your lawyer can pick it up and deposit it in your new Trust fund, or whatever vehicle you choose. A 300 Million plus Mega winner here in Michigan, went into the lottery bureau a couple of days after winning, and picked up a check for 300,000 dollars, bought a motorhome paid a few bills, and hit the road, leaving their legal eagle to lay investme... [ More ]

Comment #5

TheMaker — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 16:08:34 GMT

Congrats to them and may the spend it wisely and find their family. Invest in stocks and cds, winners. Your money will go a long way.

Comment #4

weshar75 — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:58:34 GMT

Well now I know who got my Jackpot! Congrats to the winners!-weshar75

Comment #3

CA LotteryGuy — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:15:32 GMT

Something is strange about this story.

(Note: Washington has no income tax on lottery winnings)

On Monday, they were given an initial check for $1.59 million. (Note: this is the correct amount for the first year annuity payment; $55M divided by 26 years allowing for 25% federal witholding.)

The couple opted for the lump-sum payment option which, after taxes, would be about $23 million, said Liz Anderson, a spokeswoman for the Washington Lottery. (Note: the $23 million number is... [ More ]

Comment #2

Kidzmom — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:58:07 GMT

Congratulations! I hope they do find their family.

Comment #1

MichiganHopeful — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:53:10 GMT

Congrats to them...another Quick Pick winner.

Hopefully one day it will happen for me.

$55 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot claimed by immigrant couple

Lottery Post — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:08:00 GMT

After being orphaned at an early age, Xia Rattanakone often dreamed of going back to her native country of Laos to find her family.

Now, thanks to six mega lucky numbers, the 44-year-old North Bend resident is one step closer to her wish. On Monday, she and her husband, Sommay, revealed themselves as the winners of last Tuesday's $55 million Mega Millions jackpot the second biggest jackpot in the state's history.

The couple said they now plan to return to their native Laos to look for Xi... [ More ]