Burned Breakfast After $1.05 billion Mega Millions Win

The winners of the $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot in January have finally come forward. The winners are four members of the Wolverine FLL lottery club in Oakland, Michigan, US.

It was Florida attorney Kurt Panouses who accepted the Mega Millions prize on their behalf. He told how they nearly forgot to buy a ticket for the draw. Only when one saw a sign advertising the  jackpot were easy pick tickets purchased.

Burnt Bacon

It was the day after the draw that the Mega Millions win was discovered. News of the local win had been heard by one of the club members. It took a few checks to confirm they had the winning ticket. While that was happening, the bacon being cooked ended up being burnt.

It’s taken nearly three months to claim the jackpot. The winners contacted  Panouses who regularly gives lottery players help on how to deal with their winnings. “To get a phone call from a group that won a billion within 12 hours of their win is a remarkable point of my career,” the lawyer said. He says his job is to “be everyone’s shield.”

Protecting Identities

He knew winners in Michigan can’t stay anonymous. However, he found “some grey area,” created the new club name. It’s related to a local sports team not the X-Men character. They now remain anonymous, and he says they can “live their lives.”

The attorney said they had dreamed of winning “but the reality of it has been incredible.” Their winnings will help the winners’ families for “generations to come.” They also plan to help southeast Michigan charities.

The winning numbers in the January 22 Mega Millions draw were: 04-26-42-50-60 and the Mega Ball 24. They have accepted their winnings as a one-off payment of $776 million. After taxes have been paid, the four club members will share around $557 million.

Best Friends Now

Mr Panouses said that the winners are aged between 45 and 65 with “educational backgrounds” and come from southeast Michigan. They are  “really good friends who are probably best friends now.” Tonight’s Mega Millions draw has a $105 million jackpot.

Get your Mega Millions tickets from Lottery24.