Tennessee couple claim share of $2.3b lottery prize

The winners of the record $1.6 billion U.S. Powerball jackpot had yet to emerge early on Thursday, with lottery officials saying the massive prize will be split between ticket holders in three states – Tennessee, California and Florida.

“Big fancy houses are nice but you’ve also got to clean them”, John Robinson said.

The couple came forward on yesterday with a winning ticket for this week’s record US$1.6 billion Powerball lottery jackpot.

Robinson said he bought the winning ticket at his wife’s request at the family-owned Naifeh’s grocery on his way home from work, even though he wasn’t feeling well.

“Actually, (I was) a little scared because I didn’t know exactly what do to”, he said.

The Robinsons, who live in Munford, have not decided whether they will take the annuitized or cash payout version of the jackpot, they said at a news conference at the Tennessee lottery headquarters in Nashville.

The couple, who have a son and daughter, made a decision to appear on TV first before claiming the jackpot, on the advice of their lawyer.

“Her reaction was that she didn’t believe it. She then pulled out her ticket and reviewed it with two other nurses – number by number”, said Levy.

David Levy, an operator at the center, told the publication that the lucky lotto victor was at work when she found out but completed her shift.

Robinson, alongside his wife, Lisa and daughter, Tiffany appeared on the show and told reporters the family had not yet alerted lottery officials.

Lisa Robinson works for a dermatologist and John is an engineer.

There were also winners in the quiet Los Angeles suburb of Chino Hills and at a supermarket in affluent Melbourne Beach, on Florida’s Space Coast. The Associated Press could not immediately verify their claim.

But what about the people who sold the winning tickets?

It was the largest lottery prize ever offered in North America, and no other lottery in the world had ever featured a jackpot of that size that could be won on a single ticket.

Florida has closed its offices Friday and won’t be able to confirm any winners until Tuesday because they will be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Day. Their lawyer went with them, as did their rescue dog, Abby, who snoozed through most of the excitement.