California office pool claims $543 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Comment #69

CHOSEN ONE — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 10:44:16 GMT

Why they keep letting people in the Northeast and The West Coast hit the Mega and Powerball Every time. HIT THE big Jackpot then let other People hit for small million dollar Jackpot ? I need a response about this Issue. I REALLY DON'T CARE BECAUSE I PROMISE YOU ALL I WILL MAKE HISTORY TRUST ME..

Comment #68

music* — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 22:25:21 GMT

Sandra Hayes is the lottery winner you mentioned. I googled it but did not go further because pop up ad blockers annoy me.

I found two stories about Sandra on the Lottery Post Search box.

She did fill us in on what happened to her life post-win. I believe she was interviewed by Donald Trump when he was doing his tv program.

Good Luck to you noise-gate with MM, PB and CA Super Plus Lotto

Comment #67

noise-gate — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 20:56:27 GMT

Personally, l do not feel my choice of numbers have less of a chance to be chosen. Whether a QP or not, some numbers have to rise to the occasion.Looking on the * bright side BD- if we win the PB with a single ticket. We come away with almost twice the payout as any of these individuals. Who sang That s what dreams are made of

Comment #66

Bleudog101 — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 20:05:24 GMT

The post above yours caught my eye too when it said QUICK PICK in bold letters. Being in the right place @ the right time.

Comment #65

noise-gate — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 17:36:24 GMT

I found it surprising, that this pool would show up at the lottery office the next day.Folks usually wait a bit before coming forward * unlike Robinson from Tenn- but hey, it s their money and they can do what they want with it. A quick pick huh

Comment #64

JADELottery — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 14:40:51 GMT

From www.megamillions.com

http://www.megamillions.com/news-releases

http://www.megamillions.com/news-releases/santa-clara-county-office-pool-claims-543-million-mega-millions-jackpot

Santa Clara County Office Pool Claims $543 Million Mega Millions Jackpot!

RELEASE DATE: 8/3/2018

SACRAMENTO It was spur of the moment. Hey, did you hear about the jackpot? We should play. And just like that, those words set into motion a move that would result in the largest prize ever won on

Comment #63

KY Floyd — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 08:12:21 GMT

if I gave you 10 million dollars as a gift I would owe the IRS 4million on top of that.

That's true, but if you pay somebody their rightful share of a lottery jackpot it's not a gift and it reduces your taxable income. In theory it might be possible for one person to act as a sole winner while collecting the prize and then follow the necessary procedures for income tax purposes but it would be messy. Besides the probability that you'd be violating the lottery rules you were required to follo... [ More ]

Comment #62

Stack47 — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 02:59:27 GMT

Off topic; have you tried the new 1 up, 1 down game?

We can play 324 pick-4 straight numbers for $4 and/or 108 straight pick-3 for $4. You pick a 4 or a 3 combo straight and the ticket shows all the possible winning combos and how much they win.

Comment #61

Stack47 — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 00:05:41 GMT

Originally, Karen played the drums and Richard played the keyboard. Because of her voice, their producer decided to put her out front. Richard harmonized with Karen, but was also a producer, arranger, pianist, keyboardist, occasional lyricist, and composer.

Do you know the way to San Jose was very popular in Vietnam along with If you're going to San Francisco , Give me a ticket for an airplane , and my favorite We got to get out of this place .

Comment #60

noise-gate — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 23:53:51 GMT

l took your advice, and have officially stopped.

Comment #59

noise-gate — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 23:51:34 GMT

but none of the 11 will be working after Christmas.

..Now that the press has their names, its time to move on. Office life from this point on can or will become unbearable.l recall one jackpot winner saying that soon after she won, her friends would invite her out to dinner, and leave the bill for her to pick up. When she asked why this was becoming a habit, *the idea that she always had to pick up the tab, the response was well, we living pay-check to pay-check, you the one with the money.

Comment #58

noise-gate — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 23:40:40 GMT

What's with Florida winning both 2nd prizes this past week for both MM PB? An augury perhaps, that they are going to win either jackpot? I tend to think that it's probably a snowbird.

Comment #57

Bleudog101 — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 23:11:16 GMT

Yes, but Dionne Warwick recorded that song when the Carpenter's were still in school in Connecticut. Whatever happened to the Brother who played the drums...wasn't it Richard Carpenter

Comment #56

Stack47 — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 22:39:21 GMT

Apparently you're missing my point about only ONE winning ticket.

And because total ticket sales are public record we do know exactly how many tickets are sold in each drawing. There were 77,367,250 tickets sold and another 69,813 just the jackpot tickets for the 7/24 drawing. When Gloria Mackenzie had the only winning ticket for the May 18, 2013 drawing, 232,268,274 tickets were sold.

How many people sharing ONE winning ticket is irrelevant as is how they spend their winnings. It appears... [ More ]

Comment #55

music* — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 09:04:51 GMT

Stack 47, We do not know how many other tickets have been purchased when there is only one winning ticket. We must always assume that a pool of players has won future MM PB games. Until we are shown otherwise.

Gloria C. Mackenzie and her son might have walked into a tax problem. If she said he would get half after winning it herself.

By the way all LP Members I just checked the schedule for TLC's How the Lottery Changed My Life. There are no shows planned through August 18, 2018

The... [ More ]

Comment #54

Stack47 — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 08:48:42 GMT

Which part of there was only ONE winning ticket is confusing you?

And how many other winners like Gloria Mackenzie sharing her ONE winning ticket with her son Scott said they planned on sharing their winnings

Comment #53

Stack47 — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 08:38:09 GMT

What is the point of playing jackpot games if your plan is to retire at 65?

Just an educated guess, but none of the 11 will be working after Christmas.

Comment #52

paymentplan-man — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 03:20:07 GMT

Hey stop trying to win my lottery those monies are mine. Im jk good luck my friend I pray that it helps you

Comment #51

music* — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 02:56:29 GMT

Coin Toss, I would think that most players assume they will be the sole winner and not sharing with any others.

I do guess that winners can be a pool.

The last one that comes to mind is a pool in Tennessee a few years ago.

Comment #50

noise-gate — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 02:03:41 GMT

You got that right CT. It's as if the last time we had a pool win the lottery, Reagan was President.Well, not quite, but..

Comment #49

jjtheprince14 — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 02:00:42 GMT

It was way too easy for them to win. These players are waiting for Powerball to get big also because they can win that at will.

Comment #48

noise-gate — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 01:59:38 GMT

l am ready, not only for tonight music*, but every night in which a jackpot is drawn. I do confess that l am trying something different, a new playing technique so to speak. Call it a personal upgrade, if you will.It still requires buying a ticket, nonetheless.

Comment #47

noise-gate — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 01:36:19 GMT

Thanks for clearing that up for me ppm- there will be no hesitation from me, writing that check after all.Aint life grand

Comment #46

Tucker Black — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 01:21:08 GMT

The lucky winners are smart to keep their jobs. With their winnings, they can afford to buy a house in California (not a mansion, just an average house in a decent neighborhood) and pay the cost of keeping it for life, most of which is property taxes.

Comment #45

Coin Toss — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 00:13:08 GMT

music,

Gee I would think that the San Jose MM winners have taught you that you can never assume a solo winner.

Comment #44

music* — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 22:24:29 GMT

Lighthouse is the name I am remembering.

might can be changed to will .

What is the name of the Star Wars character who is short in stature but full of wisdom? He says, It is not try but do. Something along those lines.

Someone on LP must win tonight's Power Ball. After taxes = $76,356,000.00 But the check the winner gets will be larger because of the tax still owed = $92,112,000.00 Who is ready

Comment #43

noise-gate — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 20:52:16 GMT

Very Poetic music*.. Rocks ahead on the Oceans. I knew there was a valid reason l liked you.

Comment #42

noise-gate — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 20:46:22 GMT

As one Californian to another music* Do l read you correctly when you say that when you win, you WILL mention LP etc etc, but you might contact Todd? What's up with that? Go to the source, bypass the little stuff if you have to. In other words,in your case, do or do not- There is no might.

Comment #41

music* — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 20:43:35 GMT

Bleudog101, The largest Powerball winner in Massachusetts is Mavis Wancysk, I believe.

Jack and David Edwards are like the lights that warn us of rocks ahead on the Oceans. What we should not do with the prize money or end up washed ashore all broken.

Comment #40

lejardin — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 20:43:06 GMT

Somewhere I read that the winners worked in a stock broker office and that was why they didnt want their names disclosed. Of course I cant find where I read it (but hey it was on the internet so it must be true! ). Then it was a financial institution and now on LP someone mentioned Wells Fargo? Anyone else read anything like this?

Edit: Reyes didn t disclose where the new multimillionaires work, except to say it is in the financial industry. Group members range in age from 21 to 60, and inclu... [ More ]

Comment #39

Bleudog101 — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 20:18:01 GMT

Sounds like good advice.

Was just thinking of all the huge lottery winners that did some sort of press conference over the past many years. The only two I can recollect are Jack Whitaker David Edwards. For the others including the largest Powerball winner in Massachusetts I have to look her name up.

Sad about Jack Whitaker and especially the late David Edwards. He promised God on the podium @ the news conference that he was changing his ways. Obviously he didn't and got worse.... [ More ]

Comment #38

paymentplan-man — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 20:01:32 GMT

Yes that's correct no taxes will be owed. However you will have to file something with the IRS since the gift is greater than 15k. Then what will happen is that your 11.2 lifetime exception for giving gifts(until 2024) shrinks down to 10.2 million (minus the 15k which is free yearly per person

Comment #37

paymentplan-man — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 19:59:14 GMT

Why you link that to me? Im already aware of those numbers although they are incorrect currently. It's not 5.49Million its 11.2 million until like 2024 (trump signed this into law) I think after that it will go back to 5.49 or whatever the correct inflation amount is.

Comment #36

music* — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 19:09:51 GMT

Thank You, Todd, For the common sense approach toward short press conferences.

I will give a rosy view of the World. Short and sweet.

I will give the press a comment of where I live and then answer the following questions.

I could do an imitation of Lady GaGa's Paparazzi How she loves the limelight!

I will also mention Lottery Post, USAMega, and Todd and Staff. I might contact Todd before I claim my prize.

Comment #35

ressuccess — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 18:52:03 GMT

I'm happy they're keeping their jobs until they retire at age 65 each

Comment #34

konane — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 18:44:48 GMT

Congratulations to all jackpot winners. WTG

Comment #33

noise-gate — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 16:48:00 GMT

So CT- if l cut a Check for a million to an individual or charity, am l off the hook in paying taxes on that? I just got up a little while ago. l am not firing on *all cylinders at present.. enlighten me.

Comment #32

Coin Toss — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 16:39:17 GMT

paymentplanman,

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/estates/the-gift-tax-made-simple/L5tGWVC8N

The gift tax only kicks in after lifetime gifts exceed $5.49 million in 2017

The first thing to know about the federal gift tax is that gift givers not gift recipients have to pay it. Thankfully, you won t owe the tax until you ve given away more than $5 million in cash or other assets during your lifetime.

The lifetime exclusion will be raised to $5.49 million in 2017. If you re... [ More ]

Comment #31

noise-gate — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 16:33:06 GMT

I would rather prefer the lottery * IF they must know your identify, just use your first middle initials. Period!

Lets say you won, let's say your name is Jason Patrick Clarke. I would grand full consent to them posting JP Clarke. If asked by nefarious characters Hey man, was that you who won that huge jackpot? You can always say, l doubt l am the only one with those initials! It's a clean response, and it could *work.

Comment #30

noise-gate — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 16:21:22 GMT

You wondering if it is ok to lie 4me? The problem with lying is that you could become real comfortable with it, that you end up believing your own lies.Which is not a good thing. Just learn to say NO! Now you can get comfortable with those words, up to a point.

* Lesson #1- is complete.

Comment #29

BuyLow — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 15:48:41 GMT

Just put it in a trust and say an attorney controls it with preset written guidelines that cannot be changed.

Comment #28

Nodda4me — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 15:43:55 GMT

I wonder if it'll be ok to lie and say you are going to donate it all to an unnamed charity so people will think you have no money left...

Comment #27

Todd — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 15:28:14 GMT

That is why people who work for lotteries (like Chip Polsten in Kentucky) say it is better to do a short press conference, stand up there and answer a few questions, and then go on your way. Because if you try to keep your identity a secret, the press (or just everyday citizens) will dig and dig until they find out what they want to know -- and that digging often reveals stuff that people would rather not talk about.

By doing the press conference the press is satisfied that they have a story

Comment #26

paymentplan-man — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 15:08:39 GMT

You sure I only remember reading that the giver is subject to paying gift tax on any money given that excludes the lifetime amount of 11.2 Million (until 2025). I mean I even went back and read a few pages just to make sure things have not changed. The way I see it it's called a gift because for the receiver its all free money.

Comment #25

BuyLow — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 15:04:16 GMT

In addition to Reyes, the winners were identified as Marigold Villaruz, Rita Sinha, Murad Kureshi, Nga Lam, My Nguyen, Solonachchige Dissanayake, Isabel Dominguez, Alejandra Villanueva, Alice Socorro and Joji Ziegele. They all work for a Wells Fargo branch in San Jose.

Comment #24

Nodda4me — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 14:59:37 GMT

yeah that sucks... it's good that 11 people won instead of just one person though

Comment #23

Redd55 — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 14:58:04 GMT

By law every winner's name is public. As paymentplan-man posted above, he already found all 11 winners names and their place of employment online. Unfortunately, California refuses to allow people to remain anonymous.

Comment #22

Nodda4me — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 14:30:11 GMT

protecting their private lives and where they work?

-- Roland Reyes

it won't be hard to find where that person works or who the other members of the group is...

they need to let people stay anonymous because it's very dangerous to go public

I also don't agree with them keeping their jobs, that's a liability if and when people find out.. lol.. I would have to move with that much money.

Comment #21

sully16 — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 12:08:05 GMT

Congrats to all the winners, nice to see so many get a nice check.

Comment #20

Redd55 — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 10:02:12 GMT

Thanks. I would add that besides the gift tax, the people receiving the gift are stuck with both federal and state taxes on the gift, too.

Comment #19

ronki — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 08:29:52 GMT

Keep working not me I would quit for less like to see how long they keep working

Comment #18

paymentplan-man — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 08:14:09 GMT

Coin Toss Redd is talking about gifts taxes not state income tax. What he is saying is that per California's rules a person or persons can not stay hidden..there name must be made public even before someone makes a request. But what we see in this post is that 11 people won yet only one was names. This goes against California own rules. Redd then goes on to say the only way you can do this would be for one person to collect the whole thing and then give the money to the other people but that wou... [ More ]

Comment #17

maximumfun — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 07:10:51 GMT

What a wonderful story! Congrats to the winners

Comment #16

Coin Toss — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 04:09:07 GMT

Redd55,

I guess you missed noise-gates' post;

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

* Voice of Reason

Comment #15

golfer1960 — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 03:36:19 GMT

Yep! Another feel good Lottery story

Comment #14

Redd55 — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 02:04:50 GMT

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 luc... [ More ]

Comment #13

wander73 — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 01:34:34 GMT

I agree. Second you. Awesome

Comment #12

dannyct — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 00:59:14 GMT

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

Comment #11

gatorsrok — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 22:39:54 GMT

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

Comment #10

Coin Toss — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 22:31:15 GMT

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.

Comment #9

noise-gate — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 22:17:01 GMT

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

Comment #8

gatorsrok — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 21:57:08 GMT

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.

Comment #7

Artist77 — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 21:45:40 GMT

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.

Comment #6

noise-gate — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 21:40:04 GMT

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 fi... [ More ]

Comment #5

CDanaT — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 20:54:59 GMT

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 riches

Comment #4

Bleudog101 — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 20:47:49 GMT

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

Another feel good story for the week

Comment #3

Dd2160 — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 20:17:39 GMT

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

congrats and happy spending

Comment #2

music* — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 19:34:35 GMT

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

Comment #1

Raven62 — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 19:18:52 GMT

California's Lucky Eleven

California office pool claims $543 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot

Lottery Post — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 18:59:36 GMT

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... [ More ]