We (finally) have a winner!
The South Carolina Education Lottery Commission announced Monday (Mar. 4) that the lucky person holding the winning ticket for the $1.5 billion jackpot from the October 28th, 2018 Mega Millions drawing has come forward almost four months to the date to collect the massive prize.
Officials said the winner chose to remain anonymous and picked the cash option for a one-time payout of $877,784,124 (before taxes)—the largest jackpot payout to a single winner in United States history.
According to the lottery commission, the winner has retained the services of New York attorney Jason Kurland, also known as the “lottery lawyer,” to handle the payment process and act as a spokesperson.
The winning ticket was sold at KC Mart on Lee Vaughn Road in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
According to Fox Carolina, the winner reportedly allowed another Mega Millions player to skip ahead of him before purchasing the winning quick-pick ticket.
The shop’s owner, C.J. Patel, will receive $50,000 for selling the ticket. Patel, an Indian immigrant who has lived in the United States for 20 years, bought the business a little over three years ago.
The winner had until around April 28th (or 180 days since the ticket was purchased) to come forward to claim the prize.
The state of South Carolina will receive $61 million in income taxes from the winner.
