The Maryland Mega Million Winners
When someone in our state wins the Mega Millions, we all win a little bit.
‘The three amigos’ , friends who work together in the state’s public schools, came forward yesterday to claim their share of the Mega Millions $656 Million Jackpot. They are now each $35 million richer, and the State of Maryland is $13.4 million richer in income taxes for the General Assembly to spend. One winner indicated that he or she wants the state to use it for public education.
The winners have chosen to remain anonymous, but a few details were revealed. They were described as a woman in her 20s, a man in his 40s, and a woman in her 50s. One is an elementary school teacher, another teaches special education and the third works in administrative support. They work at different schools. Each has worked multiple jobs to make ends meet.
The three had pooled their money to buy 60 tickets, purchased in three locations, including the 7-Eleven on Liberty Road in Milford Mill where the winning ticket was bought at 7:15 p.m. March 30, within hours of drawing.
“It’s so crazy that even celebrities are Tweeting about this,” one of the winners told lottery officials. “Even Britney Spears Tweeted a congratulations message to the winners.”
All three Maryland winners told lottery officials that they will continue to work. The two classroom teachers said they couldn’t imagine leaving their jobs, Martino said.
The winners also discussed how they would spend some of the money. One plans to go backpacking through Europe with her brother. Another wants to take a tour of Italy’s wine country. The third plans to help pay for his daughters’ college education, pay off his house and buy his sister a house.
Mirlande Wilson Lawsuit
Lottery Director, Stephen Martino said the winners were amused by the spectacle surrounding a claim by McDonald’s worker Mirlande Wilson who lottery officials confirmed was not one of three winners.
Wilson, who changed her story several times, could not be reached to comment. Last week, she called a press conference with her lawyer to tell the media to leave her alone.
Wilson was sued Monday in Baltimore City Circuit Court by Mandisa Mazibuko of Germantown in a lawsuit that also names the Maryland lottery as a defendant. Mazibuko asked the court to block Wilson from cashing in the ticket by approving a restraining order and an injunction to stop the lottery from transferring money to Wilson.
Martino said the lottery was served Monday.
Neither Wilson nor her co-workers listed in the lawsuit were the actual winners, Martino said. “I am not sure what cause of action or relief that group is seeking because the group were not winners of the jackpot,” he said.
And so the saga ends with the nice guys finishing first!
source: baltimoresun.com
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