$171.4 million Powerball ticket sold in PA convenience store
$171.4 million Powerball ticket sold in PA convenience store
Do you know where to buy a winning lottery ticket for 171.4 million? The exact address is known: 1214 Butler Ave., New Castle, Lawrence County in the state of Pennsylvania. This is the place where a convenience store stands.
Pennsylvania Lottery officials at Country Food Mart phoned Russel DeMatteo, the store owner and manager, and told him the store had sold the winning $171.4 million Powerball ticket. The officials did it, surprisingly, at 3 a.m. through New Castle police, probably to get 23-year-old DeMatteo even more excited, as the story owner will collect $100,000 – as soon as a lucky winner comes forward, or within 90 days.
"I certainly didn't expect this," said DeMatteo, co-author of the record win. "Lottery (officials) wanted me to come and meet them immediately. I thought the store was broken into."
Pennsylvania Lottery officials would not say when the ticket was sold. The owner of the winning ticket has one year to claim the prize and can choose to take the full winnings in 30 annuity payments over 29 years or $93.4 million in one lump payment (lump sum). 35 percent of the sum will be deducted from the prize money in either case to pay federal taxes.
"We want the winner to take his or her time and seek proper financial advice before coming forward," Pennsylvania Lottery executive director Ed Mahlman said. "We knew in the very early morning where it was sold, and we try to act as soon as possible.
“Under state rules, the winner's name and hometown must be made public,” the lottery official stated.
DeMatteo said his store sold 1,023 Powerball tickets on Wednesday, the day of drawing.
DeMatteo, who bought the store from his mother 1 1/2 years ago with his grandmother's help, said he will use his winnings to take his four workers to Cancun, Mexico, next Christmas. This year, they are going to New Orleans for their Christmas bonus with money the store received from a winning Cash 5 ticket in August.
