Shane Missler, of Port Richey, won that stunning $451 million jackpot (the fourth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history) last Friday. He’s going to take it in a lump-sum payment of $281,874,999, according to lottery officials.
“I’m only 20, but I hope to use it to pursue a variety of passions, help my family and do some good for humanity.”
His winning ticket was a Quick Pick at a 7-Eleven with money he’d won from a scratch-off lottery ticket. On Friday he tweeted,
“The power of positive thinking should not be underestimated!”
Missler claimed he was NOT shocked by his big win — as he had “a feeling” he just might hit the jackpot but minutes after the January 5 drawing he posted on Facebook at 11:33
“Oh. My. God.”
Missler told his brother first, and waited to tell his dad over coffee the next morning. The Maine native quickly “retired” from his job at a background screening company, and plans to move away from the Tampa Bay area. Missler told the Tampa Bay Times,
“Although I’m young, I’ve had a crash course this week in financial management and I feel so fortunate to have this incredible wealth and team behind me. I intend to take care of my family, have some fun along the way, and cement a path for financial success so that I can leave a legacy far into the future.”
Missler flashed a big smile as he turned in his winning lottery ticket on Friday afternoon with his dad and a lawyer. The lump sum will be paid to a trust — called Secret 007, LLC — that Missler will manage.
Even before his big win, Missler’s Twitter feed was filled with inspirational messages, like
“No more talk, only action.”
“Do or do not, there is no try.”
His winning combination was 28, 30, 39, 59, 70 and Mega Ball, 10.
I really hope he doesn’t disappear from public view, I’d like to check in at 30 and see what he did with the money. With that kind of money, he should either be broke or a billionaire.
(via NY Post)
