No claimant yet for $25m Florida Lottery win
SOUTH MELBOURNE, FL – Florida Lottery officials are on the hunt for the winner of a $25 million jackpot from the draw made last Saturday. They were surprised when no-one came forward on Monday to claim the huge prize.
The owner of the store in South Melbourne, Kurt Tukmen said that many of the store’s lottery customers are retirees who live nearby. “I want to see the winner,” he said. “I hope it’s one of our regular customers.”
Amanda Clements, spokesperson of the Florida Lottery said the time it takes for winners to claim a prize varies. Some winners come forward quickly while other take weeks. The winners have 180 days to claim their winnings, although if opting for a lump sum, they must claim it within 60 days.
According to Florida Lottery regulations Federal income taxes will be withheld from both payment options; a lump sum or annual payments. If the winner chooses to receive the lump sum cash option they would get $14.2 million before 25 per cent tax was taken. If the winner chooses to take yearly payments, he or she would get about $833,000 before taxes for 30 years.
Lottery officials said 35 Lotto Jackpot winning tickets have been purchased in Brevard County, with 24 winners being county residents.
The biggest prize won in the area was jackpot winner Paulino Rodriguez-Fonseca of Palm Bay who won a $30 million jackpot.
The winning numbers drawn on 5th March were 5, 6, 14, 23, 24 and 29. The bonus number was 4.
Published: March 9, 2011
