Includes video report
By Todd Northrop
FALL RIVER, Mass. — A retried U.S. Navy civilian worker from Fall River, Massachusetts, came forward Thursday to claim his Powerball jackpot, Massachusetts lottery officials said.
James "Jimmy" Freeman won $25.6 million in the Powerball drawing on June 8. Lottery officials said he opted for the one-time, lump sum payment of $13.4 million before taxes. He came forward to claim his jackpot just several hours after learning he won the massive prize.
Freeman's jackpot-winning Powerball ticket is the first sold in the state since the multi-state game was introduced to Massachusetts players in January 2010.
The winning numbers in the June 8 Powerball drawing were 14, 37, 44, 45, and 53, with Powerball number 29.
Freeman said he plays a few dollars around town — mostly Quick Picks — and he has always prayed and dreamed that he would someday win a big jackpot. His ticket that day was a Quick Pick.
The winning ticket was purchased at Joe's Market located 1132 Robeson St. in Fall River. The store owner, Gunvantkumar Patel, will receive $50,000 commission on the sale.
On Thursday morning, Freeman's good friend Russ Gamson called him at 7:30 am urging Freeman to check his Powerball tickets because the winning ticket was sold in Fall River. Once he realized that he had won, Freeman said, "Oh my God Russ, it's me — I won the jackpot."
Gamson accompanied Freeman to lottery headquarters as the big winner claimed his prize.
Freeman said he plans on buying a car, a Hyundai Elantra with a remote starter, with his winnings. It will take approximately two weeks to process the multi-state prize payment.
The last time a multi-state jackpot was won in Massachusetts was on July 2, 2004 when Geraldine Williams, a retired janitor from Lowell, won a $294 million Mega Millions prize.
VIDEO: Watch the report
congratulations to the winner
Way to go Mr. Freeman ...................
............ and tomorrow "dpoly1" should be the first Mega Millions Jackpot winner from Pennsylvania !!!!
Well, Mr. Freeman, you showed your picture -- don't expect any peace of mind, but, congratulations to you and your significant other. I'm sure the additional $$ will come in handy. If your house is paid off, get out of dodge, quickly -- without telling anyone: relocate, relocate, relocate!
yes, by all means get out of fall river the decadent old mill town should be in your rear view mirror of your huyndai? you should consider a cadillac escalade instead or something that will last longer than that cheaply made vehicle...
I am very sure that I would not submit to a television interview like that !
No pictures no interviews .............. just what is required by law !
CONGRATULATIONS JIMMY FREEMAN!!!!!!
That is sooooo Awesome for you - Enjoy & Be Careful
I wish him well and if hes smart he'll get the heck out of dodge and get something armored after that interview
Congrats on the win..! Wish you well on your jackpot win...!
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Where's Sorpio now ??? What no comment on the Mass Win ?
Congrats Mr.Freeman
"Freeman said he plays a few dollars around town — mostly Quick Picks — and he has always prayed and dreamed that he would someday win a big jackpot. His ticket that day was a Quick Pick."
As many Lottery Post players do, I watch with the eye of an eagle for trends and patterns.
And I am seeing the development or distinct validation of three of them after studying recent news stories on jackpot winners.
The following three things have been proven and validated:
1. It helps to pray to win a jackpot
2. Quick Picks are the best choice to win a jackpot
3. Almost every store in the country is owned by somebody named Patel
rdgrnr, wasn't Patel the name of that store owner in Dunn that cashed in that lady's cash 5 ticket and told her it wasn't a winner.lol
Odds are it was! lol
Congrats Mr. Freeman, Enjoy.
and he has always prayed and dreamed that he would someday win a big jackpot. His ticket that day was a Quick Pick.
watch for the Vatican coming nocking on his door...
if this is true, there is evidence there is a subconcious...that there is more thant what the eyes see...
there was someone with chris paine who won PB with something with the unconcious, many people who have won and come on on that famous tv show say they always felt they were going to win....you got the dream guy with pick4....and NOBOODDDDYY has won saying they got a system...
Congrats to the winner. Big mistake going on the interview. Big mistake. Big. Mistake. Best of luck to him, cuz he's gonna need it.
1. It helps to pray to win a jackpot <-- Lord knows the '11:11 make a wish' hasn't panned out for me yet.
2. Quick Picks are the best choice to win a jackpot <-- 80% of my tickets are quick pick. winnings on about .8%.
3. Almost every store in the country is owned by somebody named Patel <-- I'll have to look harder for Patel behind the counter. Usually it's Jose or Juanita manning the register around these parts. Actually, the place I've won a little here and there has Patel's wife, her sister, and her mother working there.
Anyone know whatever happened to Geraldine Williams? Is she a success story? I'd like to think so.
wow, just watched the interview...he had better buy a car soon as he will get run over crossing that street to joes market...
he said he will keep playing the lottery! this dude is abnormal
people have won twice, but he has no clue on what to do with the 9.2 he's already banked...he's a disabled vet but seriously watch the end of that video interview. he almost gets clipped by a speeding car crossing over to joes market...
Ridge.........
Ya know, if I didn't know any better, I would swear you are trying to stir the pot!
I see ya pushing the prayer thing, AND the QP thing.
Where's yer little buddies when ya need 'em? LOL.
No buckeye, ya got it all wrong.
I like to think I have a soothing, calming effect on them.
I'm just trying to be proactive so I can nip it in the bud when they see this article and go stark, raving mad and commence foaming at the mouth and all like that.
It's kind of a homeopathic approach if you will.
The poor souls are just too high strung, that's all.
But I'm here for them.
Well, rich celebrities and athletes have been known to play the lottery, as well as other winners continuing to play, so I don't see anything crazy about this.
Honestly I would do the same, specifically once I started driving around the country visiting different states. If I won, I'd probably gift it to a family member or set it up where multiple friends/family members benefit from it.
Altruistic!
Congratulations Mr. Freeman, you, are definitely a "Financially Free-man" now! What an exciting phone call with your friend that must have been!
Sad to learn that it took almost 7 years for a player to win the next net multi-million jackpot in Massachusetts though!!!
It's ever wonderful to hear of a person's unyielding faith/knowing/clear certainty causing HUGE financial manifestation.
Maybe he doesn't like ostentatious SUVs. Maybe he enjoys a simple life and not interested in keeping up with the Jonses. Could be any one of many reasons. BTW, cheap and inexpensive are not the same.
Wow. I didn't see a Massachuetts player win a Powerball Jackpot.
Congrats Mr.Freeman Enjoy it!
Wow, someone from MA actually won the multi-state game. 2004 - 2011, thats 7 years. Maybe I shouldn't play powerball or Megamillions until 2018 lol
I'm happy for Jimmy guy
Im happy for him too. I wanted to be the first from MA to win powerball. Oh well, I'd be okay winning megabucks doubler too.
maybe there isnt a pb winner in Massachssetts but there could be other MM winners in massachussetts...