Includes video report
By Todd Northrop
LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan woman found out she was the winner of the $310 million Powerball jackpot while sitting in the drive-thru at McDonald's.
Julie Leach, 50, of Three Rivers, Michigan, was introduced as the big winner during a press conference on Tuesday held by the Michigan Lottery.
Leach was a supervisor at Aquatic Bathware, a Michigan fiberglass factory, where she has worked for the past 23 years. Leach learned she was the big winner while she was at the McDonald's drive-thru on a lunch break.
"I was having a really bad night at work and I thought I better check my numbers," she said.
After reading the numbers, Leach went back to work and her co-workers looked at her numbers to help her verify that she had actually won. Minutes later, she quit her job.
"I quit automatically. I was done," she said. "I didn't go to sleep for over 30 hours when I found out."
Leach chose a lump sum of $197.4 million, or $140 million after taxes. It's Michigan's second-largest lottery prize.
Leach purchased the winning ticket at the Three Rivers West Shell gas station, located at 1223 W. Michigan Avenue. The gas station is 30 miles south of Kalamazoo.
The winning numbers in the Sept. 30 Powerball drawing were 21, 39, 40, 55, and 59, with Powerball number 17. The Power Play number was 3.
VIDEO: Watch the press conference
As much as I would want to quit my job, I would try to be a little more cool about it. And no way would I take it for all to see. But Congrats to her.
I lost count how many times I said the same thing. If I win tonight it's goodbye.
When you're having a crappy time at work, nothing else matters but to get the heck outta Dodge.
Congratulations Julie Leach !! Your hard work at a 23 year career has been rewarded. Thank You for doing the press interview. I am happy to see winners live.
May you be blessed with wonderful life and please stay out of the news.
Just had a thought.
Can you imagine if this had been in Illinois???
Who knows when she would get her money.
23 years.?? You deserve this enjoy your life. Hurray!!!
Julie>>>Julie>>>Julie>>>U deserve a "break" after 23 year$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!
Congrats to you! spend it wisely! Oh, the things i could buy, places i could go! Would like to travel the USA! What a dream come true! Would have to put some away, to keep the IRS from getting it! What would y'all do with that much money? Good Luck everyone on the New Powerball...
Instant retirement. No more McD, better food from now on.
Do not quit your job before you have your ticket verified and validated. If the lottery officials say your ticket is not valid, you will have to go crawling back and begging for your job. If you have to, go home sick and then quit after you have verified and validated your ticket. JUST A THOUGHT!!!!.
I've had lots of bad days at work, still I think I'd wait till the check clears,
use vacation time or something.
But everyone has to make their own decisions to live with, so good for her.
Congratulations to the winner
She was still excited when she did the interview and probably exaggerated the circumstances. I personally know three jackpot winners of over $10 million each that basically did the same thing.
Julie Leach won $140 million after taxes and probably doesn't care if some people think she didn't act "cool enough" for their taste.
Being retired I wouldn't have that problem, all I would have do is take cash, cash the check and start spending.
finally, someone who had the gonads to do it right. quit the job immediately, don't even go back for the 2nd half of the day or night. nonsense waiting for the ticket to be validated. she knew she had the winner. just sign it and say sayonara to the job.
Congrats Julie.
Congratulations Julie.
You heard it here first.
I could live off the interest on the interest! the hardest part would be waiting for the money to hit my account.... ..... cmon already i got super cars to wreck.
Michigan Powerball winners seem to enjoy McDonald's. (Mr. Lawson name-checked them during his press appearance, stating that he'd continue to eat there.) I guess that's not so uncommon, but it's funny that the fast food giant is two-for-two in being mentioned by the state's individual Powerball winners.
Agree totally.
Nice going Julie. Time for some fun times now...
I suppose if someone never won a prize over five bucks, it would be difficult relating to winning a couple thousand and impossible to relate to winning $140 million.
May she enjoy life with good health and wealth .
congrats!
I thought winners now had the right to anonymity in Michigan?
Has anyone go any information on that?
If so, she was unwise to go public.
Julie:
Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your financial security.
You will probably be inundated with requests, stay strong, don't be a soft touch.
Also, get independent, professional financial and legal advice.
Wishing you all the best.
I think its still in the works. I just hope she's really careful. Now her name and her face is out there for all to see.
Congrats to the winner. Enjoy your new & improved life.
I'm sure she will wind up moving away from this small town she's lived in for at least 23 years.
Here's the most expensive home on the market in Three Rivers, MI at $715K. It has 5bd, 3ba and 2900 sq ft and built in 1988. I believe she can afford it if she wants it.
I think I like this one better. It cost $696K and has 4bd, 4bth, and 3283 sq ft, lake front.
Go Julie, GO!!!!!
Where's the other $600,000 worth of it?
Congratulations on the win & the early retirement! Now cash your ticket - assemble your team - and get outa dodge!
From a former Michigander, Congratulations Julie Leach. No one understands the sacrifices that factory workers make and are such an integral part of our economy. 23 years in a factory job and working your way up in a "man's world"...Good for you, go ahead and quit and enjoy your good luck with your family and friends. All the best to you!
Congratulations Julie! I always get excited when I see a solo woman win a jackpot in these big -- majority of our country-ranging -- lottery games!
wonder what the sales are like in Illinois? How long will PB & MM let them continue not paying? Sales MUST be droppping.
I just pulled up the state site, there is a 1 million dollar raffle going on this month - LOL!!!!
anyone got any updates on this issue?
Ha Ha! Good observation Ridley. That is so funny about the McDonald's thing. Speaking of Donald Lawson, he's on FB now as "Lawson Dino". There's a picture of him at his daughter's wedding. Something appears to be troubling him as he has a court date coming up and ranted for demons to leave him alone. Someone in the family bought a house in Alva, Florida. Huge.
Congratulations Julie!!! You deserve it for your 23 years of dedication to one company.
Congrats to Julie.
Hope she puts some of the money for her 11 grandchildren in a trust fund.
I think the only people who continue to work after a large jackpot win are ones that are mentally ill.
Myself being of very sound mind, would quit right away just as she did.
She's lucky it happened before the change. Don't blame her for quitting, the night shift is horrible especially with that fiberglass dust blowing around.
Congratulations on your win
I had the same thought, and that she should be grateful that she doesn't live in Illinois.
Julie, may you be happy with your winnings.
I just remembered from the news this morning, they said she would be using the money to help her family.