Stone Mountain Woman is Georgia Winner of $648 million Mega Millions Jackpot

CNN ^ | December 18, 2013 | Jason Hanna and Chuck Johnston

[lbryce]

A Stone Mountain woman has won half of the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot in U.S. history and has taken the cash option, which after taxes, will be about $120 million, Georgia Lottery President Debbie Alford said Wednesday.

Ira Curry came to the lottery office with the winning ticket of hand-picked numbers, which were a mix of family birthdays and the lucky number 7. She did not appear at the afternoon lottery announcement in Atlanta.

Alford gave a few details about Curry, saying she is married and had her daughter check online for the winning numbers after a radio announcer mentioned 7 was the Mega ball number.

[lbryce]

That's some hunk of change. The inexplicable vagaries of destiny, fate.

From $648 million dollars if paid out over twenty years that includes interest earned to $120 million take-it-now-and-lose-it-all within a few years. The history of lottery winners who struck it big with hundreds of millions of dollars in winnings has not been a tale of living happily ever after. I don't know if there ever has been a winner who has retained a considerable amount of money having the discipline and foresight enough to sock it away before frittering it all within a few years and ending up bankrupt like most of them.

[Hoodat]

I know her! She's my long lost cousin, I swear!

(anyone got an address or phone number for her?)

[Dr. Sivana]

There was more than one win, so it is really depreciated from $324 million. Even if you take the slow pay out, theer will be no end of offers to “borrow” against it.

[KarlInOhio]

I don't know if there ever has been a winner who has retained a considerable amount of money having the discipline and foresight enough to sock it away before frittering it all within a few years and ending up bankrupt like most of them.

I wonder how much of that is from the focus of the MSM. You'll never seen the headline "Lottery winner invests in tax-free municipal bond funds. Lives comfortable life." even when that happens. Instead they'll just jump the next winner who loses a briefcase full of cash at a strip club.

[lbryce]

That $120 million is before taxes that usually ends up taking about half.

[TigersEye]

I love you, Debbie. I’ve always loved you!

[Dr. Sivana]

That $120 million is before taxes that usually ends up taking about half.

Not according to the article:

"Curry's half of the cash option comes to $173 million, before taxes, officials said."

[Abathar]

This guy is more than willing to help her out

[Ditter]

We invested in this Lotto and if we had won, our names would never have been made public. I don’t know if I would told anybody.

[Stevenc131]

It says the $120 million is after taxes. I heard the lump sum payout before taxes was in the $160-$170 million range.

[Cementjungle]

I don't know if there ever has been a winner who has retained a considerable amount of money having the discipline and foresight enough to sock it away before frittering it all within a few years and ending up bankrupt like most of them.

I saw a TV program about a year ago which did feature several people who actually did properly manage their winnings over long periods of time. Many used it to start businesses, or invested wisely, and generally did the right thing.

I (not that I ever even buy lottery tickets) would take the lump sum, as I don't trust the state to keep paying all those years (I fully expect them to somehow raid the funds one of these days).

[RandallFlagg]

In some states you must submit your name if you win.
Sucks.

[Yo-Yo]

Well, sure, it sounds like a lot of money now, but just wait until after she buys her Obamacare policy.

[Count of Monte Fisto]

This woman is an idiot. To come out so publicly the day after the drawing is just plain stupid. She is going to have people coming out of the woodwork to try and get some of that money.

The people that are ruined after winning the lottery are usually irresponsible dolts before they won. The money just makes it worse.

[Abathar]

Wife and I talked about it and I don’t think we would have said a word to anyone.

Bought a ranch out west and decided to retire early is what we would have told people, we both mentioned several relatives who would have been tearing our door down before the deposit was in the account.

[Rodamala]

[Dr. Sivana]

You'll never seen the headline "Lottery winner invests in tax-free municipal bond funds. Lives comfortable life." even when that happens. Instead they'll just jump the next winner who loses a briefcase full of cash at a strip club.

In Rockford, IL, someone with a sizeable (but not massive) winning decided to set up a Quizno's on Harrison Ave. It would have been a reasonable investment, but the construction in widening the road kept it from getting established. Last I checked it was a sausage joint or something like that.

[FreedomPoster]

Can any of you help Hoodat contact his long-lost cousin?

I heard the ticket was sold in Buckhead.

GA Freeper ping.

[MrB]

Put a new roof on the trailer, Margaret!!!

[Ditter]

That does suck! Could you get your lawyer to collect it for you?

2nd question: Could you have gotten it away from your lawyer?