|
Last Friday's Mega Millions lottery jackpot
of $163,000,000 has been claimed by a 52 year
old maintenance man. Ben Chason, who is from
Bainbridge, has now made lottery history in
the state of Georgia for being the largest ever
winner.
Under Mega Millions rules, Ben had to choose
between receiving an annuity or taking a lump
sum. He opted for the latter and walked away
with $93,433,255, although this sum is taxable.
Even so, the quick pick ticket he bought has
brought him a very hefty fortune (it will be
around $66 million after deductions) and Ben
now says that he is officially retired.
Ben purchased a couple of tickets from a convenience
store near his home on Thursday, just one day
before the Mega Millions draw itself. But he
didn't realise that he'd won until he returned
to the store on Sunday and checked his numbers.
"There was a printout of the winning numbers
on the counter, and I decided to check my tickets,"
Ben says. "I thought I was dreaming."
Ordinarily, players who win such a massive
lottery prize take their time to adjust to the
situation and allow the fact to sink in. Mega
Millions jackpot winners also tend to take professional
financial advice before deciding whether the
annuity or lump sum option is best for them.
But not Ben. He made up his mind on the spot
and drove all the way to Atlanta the very same
day, only to find that the lottery offices are
closed on Sundays and that he would have to
wait until the next day to make his claim.
Journalists at a press conference asked Ben
how the jackpot win would change his financial
situation. "Right now, I got $600 in there,"
Ben replied. "So it's gonna change it pretty
good."
Ben plans to spend part of his money on his
family and the family of his girlfriend. He
also wants to invest in land and maybe even
pay for a church to be built for his nephew,
who is in the process of becoming a minister.
"I have thought of probably trying to start
him a church," Ben said. "And I may
just put the money up and build him one."
Although Ben has made lottery history in Georgia,
he didn't come close to breaking the US jackpot
record, which is a $365 million Powerball prize
won by a syndicate of eight.
19 September 2006
Back to news summary
• News archive
|
