BILLION DOLLAR NJ TOAST
‘Liquor store’ winner
The New Jersey lottery winner who came away with the $1.13 billion jackpot from Tuesday night’s drawing bought the life-changing Mega Millions ticket at a liquor store in Monmouth County, the lottery announced Wednesday.
The store, ShopRite Liquor, on Route 66 in Neptune Township, was presented with a $30,000 bonus check for selling the winning ticket.
“It’s unbelievably ex- citing,” Richard Saker, president of the com- pany that runs the Neptune Township ShopRite, told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday — adding that money from the lottery will be given to the ShopRite Partners in Caring program, which supports 2,200 charities fighting hunger.
There was no immediate word on the identity of the new billionaire who purchased the ticket.
It was sold by TiYahna Bambaata, niece of Neptune Township Mayor Tassie York, who works part-time at the ShopRite store.
“There was a few people coming in and out last night. I cannot remember who it was,” Bambaata, a college student, told NJ Advance.
She said she was thrilled it might be someone who lives locally.
“It’s exciting. I’m happy that someone in my hometown [won],” she said.
Under New Jersey law, lottery winners are allowed to remain anonymous and prizes can be claimed up to a year after the drawing.
“I don’t know who the winner is,” said James Carey, New Jersey Lottery executive director. “We know where it was sold and when it was sold, but we don’t know who it was sold to.
“If you are the winner, I encourage you right now, sign the back of the ticket, take a picture of it, make a copy of it, and put it in a safe place.
Keep it close to the vest
“Tell only your closest loved ones that you were this lucky winner and then I would urge you: Go out and talk to a lawyer and maybe a financial adviser,” he added. “Talk to someone that’s a professional about what to do with your newfound wealth and how to handle it.”
The first jackpot of 2024 was captured Tuesday night after 30 straight weeks without a Mega Millions winner. It is the eighthlargest prize in US lottery history.
The newly minted billionaire can receive the $1.13 billion in annual installments over 30 years, or a one-time lump sum estimated at $537.5 million.