California delivery driver claims half of $648 million jackpot

Comment #62

jamella724 — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 23:33:21 GMT

Congratulations what a lucky man. The funny thing is that if he don't remembered that he had bought a ticket in San Jose the mysterious winner, which is himself, will never show up. Furthermore he even complimented the winner a lucky man not knowing that the winner was him.

Comment #61

mrcraft — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 22:31:58 GMT

My comment was based on the post immediately before mine which made mention about retroactive tax. When I read the term retroactive, I assumed he meant lottery winners were taxed for lottery winnings from prior years. I didn't realize it only affected lottery winners for the 6 month period in 2009.

Comment #60

Toronto — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 21:22:28 GMT

Can happen and is not against the law. When you think of the term retroactive, you think past years rates being changed. In reality, the law was passed July 1, 2009 for the 2009 fiscal year. Technically, no different from last year, when Congress passed the 39.6% upper bracket tax, 5% raising in the capital gains, and the ending of payroll tax cut at 2:00 a.m. on January 1st. Would you complain then (assuming you were neutral on the raises) that they retroactively did that?

You have to go wit... [ More ]

Comment #59

THRIFTY — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:51:01 GMT

$5 MEGA MILLIONS QUICK PICK TICKET.

Comment #58

sully16 — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 12:44:22 GMT

Pass the motrin someone.

Comment #57

rdgrnr — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 02:09:39 GMT

You americans are so naive :)

Be nice, leila, or we'll tell Putin that it's ok to send the tanks back in.

Comment #56

leilamiller — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 01:17:08 GMT

You americans are so naive :)

This is a typical vietnamis scam.

Tran are not a real winner.

Look. Fairytales:

a) he don`t control the numbers on Tuesday or day next - rubbish

b) I go to vacation and thats the reason why I he control numbers in next Monday - rubbish

c) he don`t remember taht he was in San Jose - rubbish

of course Tran is not a real winner. Check cameras, videos, and you see:)

control vacation , credit carts ( driver you say...) etc etc.

Yes ,I thin... [ More ]

Comment #55

larry3100 — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 03:19:05 GMT

I live only a few miles from Jenny's Gift and Kids Wear store. I decided to go there and congratulate Mr. Thuy Nguyen for selling that $324 million Mega Millions lottery ticket and purchase a few PowerBall tickets at the same time. When I arrived at Jenny's Gift store there was a long line of people waiting. When it was my turn to purchase my tickets, I congratulated Thuy and he shook my hand. Thuy was so excited about selling that $324 million lottery ticket and receiving a bonus of $1 million... [ More ]

Comment #54

KY Floyd — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 05:18:44 GMT

I'm pretty sure that NJ wasn't overspending any more then than they did the year before or the year after.

The law was changed shortly after a group of insurance workers won something over $100 million (cash value), which back then was an unusually large jackpot. The timing makes me think it was the chance to grab their own share of that particular jackpot that gave them the idea, or the push to follow through on an idea they'd already had for a while.

Comment #53

HaveABall — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 05:05:20 GMT

Ya, I remember that MEAN, MEAN NJ state tax law, snuck in a couple of years ago, when the state had been way over spending and the Reps got to thinking: 'Who can we get big money from quickly?' !

Cash is also best when some of our country's states are going bankrupt. Certainly, if one peruses past federal income tax rate brackets, they'll see that for a while there was a 75% tax bracket! I don't EVER want that to return

Comment #52

RedStang — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 16:51:08 GMT

Beggars are so annoying. I had a guy ask for some chamomile tea and i was like Hell No .

Comment #51

Gleno — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 15:16:28 GMT

This is big news to me about the retro-active tax on NJ lottery winners! The things we lean on Lottery Post is amazing.

Question the percent of rich people that play the lottery. Willing to bet that it's a small percentage. Then again, Yours Truly, may be wrong.

Reading the comments about lump-sum vs annuity payments,seems most regular folks are very savy about managing their money. Each month tally up my lottery spending,winnings, and running at a loss. Too ashamed to state how much was... [ More ]

Comment #50

sully16 — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 00:50:26 GMT

Classic line, love it.

Comment #49

mrcraft — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 17:08:02 GMT

Retroactive Tax?!? That's crazy.

Comment #48

OldSchoolPa — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:17:03 GMT

Better to take the lump sum and minimize being caught up in future tax code changes. I emphasize minimize because all just have to look at that NJ jackpot winning lottery pool of insurance workers that got nailed when NJ instituted a 10 percent RETROACTIVE lottery winnings tax! It is just too bad we the people cannot RETROACTIVELY impeach, recall or overturn election results for winners who did so on fraudulent basis. I won't say any names so that is just a general statement.

those who take a... [ More ]

Comment #47

OldSchoolPa — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:15:10 GMT

Error

Comment #46

Lucky4Life — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:26:35 GMT

you and me both! also gives me a reason to turn people down who beg for

Comment #45

dpoly1 — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 15:25:44 GMT

NICE WIN

Comment #44

Slick Nick — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 12:42:45 GMT

Didn't check his tickets for 2 weeks, this seems to be common.

Comment #43

justxploring — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 06:13:21 GMT

That was my favorite line in the article. Finally! I always get a kick out of the people who win millions and say Oh, I'll still work at Walmart. This money won't change me. Sure! Of course it is important to continue to do something productive and, if I owned a business, I might continue to be active in it. However, I can think of a lot better things to do than work for someone else in a store or a factory. Congrats to the winner.

Comment #42

golfer1960 — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 03:29:51 GMT

I didn't want to win this stupid lottery anyway hearsetrax. I'm happy doing what I do!!!

Stupid Lottery.

Comment #41

azares — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 03:03:42 GMT

California does not tax Lottery winnings. You only pay Federal Tax.

Comment #40

Lucky dik — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 01:13:30 GMT

you da man good luvk may god be with you

Comment #39

RedStang — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 23:52:28 GMT

That quote is great. I would love to hear him say it.

Comment #38

maringoman — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 23:35:16 GMT

Of the two tickets that hit the jp, one ticket was a QP and one was self selected numbers. Steve Tran and Ira Curry were the lucky winners. Interesting.

Comment #37

JAP69 — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 23:32:27 GMT

Comment #36

lottoguysocal — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 23:19:56 GMT

Congrats to the lucky winner

Comment #35

Stack47 — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 21:20:12 GMT

Off the top, I can think of two very logical reason why currently taking the cash is better decision in California. They have no state tax on lottery winnings, but that could change. Currently it's 12.3% of income over $691,000 that a lottery winner must pay if the legislators created tax on lottery winnings. Any financial planner understands in the next 30 years the current interest rate can only go up and not advise locking into the tiny rate the annuity is now offering.

Solid logical reaso... [ More ]

Comment #34

RJOh — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 19:47:31 GMT

Chances are the winners that take cash have watch some those TV investment program seen or heard of people who earn 20% a year on their investments and figure they could do better than states will with a annuity only play 5% a year over the next thirty years. If not, a financial adviser have told them he can to a lot better for only a small fee.

Comment #33

golfer1960 — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 19:15:07 GMT

(British accent): I beg your pardon but crying is my way of coping with a life long sentence of losing, thank you Mr. Hearsetrax.

May I get you a spot of tea

Comment #32

RJOh — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 17:51:46 GMT

Tran told lottery officials that after learning he had the winning ticket, he made a call to his boss: I'm really sorry boss. I hit the jackpot. I don't think I'm going to come in today, tomorrow, or ever.

At that point I would have known for sure if I planned to ever return to my job.

Comment #31

Gleno — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 15:19:58 GMT

Just can't fathom lump sum payouts. Surmise that taking the annuity with its bigger long term payout results in more taxes, over the cumulative payoff period. Know the smart money advises to take the lump sum and pay the taxes all at once. It just too much to manage such a huge prize amount at one time. But that's just me. Know Yours Truly, is in the minority on this issue of lump sum vs the annuity option. Just think having the payments spread over a long period is a little easier to work.... [ More ]

Comment #30

hearsetrax — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 13:44:57 GMT

I see you need another box

Congrats Mr Tran

Comment #29

Piaceri — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 12:33:20 GMT

Congrats to the winner Mr Tran and his family! Best of luck to him.

Comment #28

OldSchoolPa — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 11:42:30 GMT

Both winners have to pay federal taxes, so Mr. Tran will not net 173 million dollars. But he will take home more money than the Georgia winner because California does not tax lottery winnings. Imagine that! But you will surely get taxed to the hilt on every other type of income. I will buy a ticket in California but I won't seek to live in California.

Comment #27

helpmewin — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 10:51:18 GMT

Congratulation Mr, Steve Tran Spend wisely

Comment #26

ttech10 — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 10:28:40 GMT

Even USAMega couldn't believe there was already a winner:

1:03 am Mega Millions: There was no jackpot winner in the Friday, January 03, 2014 Mega Millions drawing...

It sure confused me when I saw $15 Million for the amount after seeing that. I don't know if I ever said it, but I had a feeling the next jackpot win wouldn't be nearly as big.

Comment #25

Kee12 — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 10:19:18 GMT

There was one $5 million winner from Pennsylvania.

Comment #24

HaveABall — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 08:19:11 GMT

Yes, and possibly no 2nd prize winners

Comment #23

RJOh — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 06:30:49 GMT

It's only easy for the winners to win, for the losers it's it's getting easier to lose.

Comment #22

whiteballz — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 06:23:15 GMT

that proves once again, that Megamillions is just too easy to win

Comment #21

RJOh — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 06:20:40 GMT

People are always saying somethings half way and expecting other to know what they left out. Saying one ticket with five lines or five tickets with five lines each might be a little clearer.

Comment #20

mrcraft — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 06:19:40 GMT

The first figure is before taxes, the other after taxes.

Comment #19

RJOh — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 06:12:29 GMT

Megamillions had another jackpot winner already and some players thought with a 5/75 +1/15 matrix the jackpot would roll at least three months before someone won again.

Comment #18

earthdragon72 — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 06:00:34 GMT

Wait how come he gets 173 million and the lady in Ga only 120million? I don't get it. Is it cause of taxes

Comment #17

golfer1960 — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 05:22:24 GMT

Comment #16

New York — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 04:31:51 GMT

Excellent. The suspense is over. Big congrats to the new minted winner. May he receive all the blessings God has to offer. I really hope Ira and this guy enjoy their new life style. Stories like this give me hope that ordinary people can actually win the jackpot. It's a long shot, indeed, but hey, you never know.

Comment #15

whiteballz — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 04:18:06 GMT

5 lines? Someone is going to be seeing helicopters.

Comment #14

dallascowboyfan — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 02:02:28 GMT

Lol you so crazy

Comment #13

golfer1960 — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 01:25:43 GMT

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I wanted it to be me. I'm not happy for him.

Comment #12

Jon D — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 01:15:29 GMT

It was 1 ticket, 5 lines: (play C was the winner)

I always get thrown for a loop when people refer to lines/plays/picks as tickets. I know it is common, but it just seems weird to me. Like when the frenzy hits and reporters go out to stores, and they say, give me five tickets! and the clerk hands then 1 ticket with 5 lines.

Comment #11

Win$500Quick — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 01:10:36 GMT

Tran said he bought five quick pick tickets at Jenny's Gift Kids Wear, a store tucked away in a Tully Road strip mall.

Comment #10

Chadu82 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 23:01:15 GMT

CONGRATS

Comment #9

whiteballz — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 22:28:11 GMT

Lucky him. Not only did he win the money, he has a common enough name in the Vietnamese community that he is essentially anonymous.

Also, a great decision by Mr. Tran to avoid the cameras.

Comment #8

Allison23 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 21:33:47 GMT

Congrats!! To you and your family.

Comment #7

Artist77 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 21:24:00 GMT

Congratulations! And as I said before, sometimes people just get busy and don't get to check their tickets right away. It does not mean they want to win any less than anyone of us.

Best quote ever : I'm really sorry boss. I hit the jackpot. I don't think I'm going to come in today, tomorrow, or ever.

Comment #6

HaveABall — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 21:14:47 GMT

Congratulations, Steve, on your huge Mega Millions Jackpot win

Comment #5

DDOH937 — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 20:45:19 GMT

Congrats to you Mr. Tran. All the best to you, your family and loved ones. What a way to start 2014!!! Good for you!!

For some reason, i'm so glad it was a quick pick winner, not sure why but was hoping it was. Way to go man, when its your time, its simply your time

Comment #4

Jon D — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 20:32:36 GMT

Quick pick JP winner

Comment #3

Saylorgirl — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 20:31:26 GMT

Congratulations and Happy New Year to Steve Tran and family

Comment #2

mrcraft — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 20:28:04 GMT

Congrats on the big win

Comment #1

dallascowboyfan — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 20:26:58 GMT

Congratulation Mr. Tran family

California delivery driver claims half of $648 million jackpot

Lottery Post — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 20:25:06 GMT

Didn't check his lottery ticket for two weeks

A delivery driver from Northern California rang in the New Year by walking into the California Lottery headquarters in Sacramento with a ticket worth $324 million.

The California Lottery identified the winner as Steve Tran, who has chosen to take his winnings in one lump sum and will receive $173.8 million before federal taxes.

Tran told lottery officials that after learning he had the winning ticket, he made a call to his boss: I'm really s... [ More ]