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Highlands Today

Lottery Jackpot Still Unclaimed

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: August 9, 2007

SEBRING — Highlands County has a brand-new instant millionaire.

Somebody won $1.8 million in the Florida Lottery's Mega Money Jackpot on July 24, but the state's lottery officials have yet to find out the ticket holder's name.

Representatives at Terry Little's Market on Kenilworth Boulevard, where the ticket was sold, said the ticket was verified by machine, but still the name of Highlands County's newest millionaire stays secret.
Store owner Terry Little gave some hints. The mystery man who asked for temporary anonymity is a Gators fan who works downtown and regularly buys Quick Pick lottery tickets for the Mega Money drawing during his lunch break.

Shelly Safford works in the communications department at The Florida Lottery and said it is common for big-time winners to hesitate prior to cashing in.

"The higher the amount, the less likely they are to speak with the public — they're more intimidated," said Safford.

Mario Trevino, financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, said the first thing any big winner needs to do is find a financial advisor who he or she can "really trust."

An attorney and a tax CPA should also be consulted –– and along with the chosen financial advisor –– determine if the winner wants to invest aggressively or conservatively.

"It can be a bigger problem and he needs time to digest the fact that life's going to change – it's a big psychological line you have to cross," said Trevino, about the newest winner's hesitation to claim his prize.

A Mega Money winner has 180 days to cash a ticket, or 60 days if a lumpsum payment is requested for about two-thirds of the full prize amount.

For those holding large winning tickets, 28 percent comes off the top first to pay for federal taxes, according to the official Florida Lottery Web site.

A winner may not remain anonymous. Every big winner's name, city of residence, the game won and date won can all be revealed to interested parties by the state, while a winners address and home phone number are kept confidential.

Eighty percent of prize money for an unclaimed ticket goes to the educational endowment trust fund and 20 percent goes back to the game.

Jackie Barreiros, public affairs spokeswoman for the Florida Lottery, said average big winners take a about two weeks to claim their prize, time sometimes spent finding a financial advisor.

She also said that Highlands County's newest winner, and all winners of more than $250,000, must make a trip to Tallahassee to claim. During its 19-year history, the lottery has christened 910 millionaires through the Lotto game alone.

Even lottery officials are allowed to dream about winning, although they are forbidden from buying tickets.

"It's a life-altering experience," said Barreiros. "A wonderful thing."

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