So that winning ticket for the $319 million Mega Millions that was sold in Albany? As it turns out, the winners seem to be a group NY State employees—the Post reports, "The winning ticket was one of several bought by members of an office pool at a convenience store less than a block from their workplace... Other sources said the winners work for the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal."
The ticket was bought at Coulson’s News Center, an old, family-run store. Steve Hutchins, 63, whose family has owned the store for over 100 years, was skiing in Vermont when his son called him. He told the Times-Union, "I was on a ski lift, and he said, 'You haven't heard?' and I said, 'What should I have heard?'" Hutchins headed back, "It's a neat feeling to know that someone who comes in here is getting a lot of money." Also neat: The store will get $10,000 for selling the winning ticket.
The state lottery office opens up tomorrow, so that's the earlier the winner(s) can claim their bounty. And financial planners have warned people who win big lottery jackpots to be careful—which is why one $133 million Mega Millions winner accepted his payout with an air of mystery.
