Johnson County Residents Claim $50 Million Powerball Jackpot!

A Johnson county couple in their 70s has claimed the $50 million Powerball jackpot from the December 19 drawing!  The winners, who wished to remain anonymous, matched all numbers, winning the jackpot prize.  The winning numbers were 05-08-20-23-30 Powerball 03.

"I wasn't going to buy a Powerball ticket that evening, but when I stopped to buy  $5 worth of Hot Lotto and $5 worth of Super Kansas Cash, I had $6 left in my wallet and decided to go ahead and buy $6 in Powerball," said the winner

That decision turned out to be life changing.  Since the winner purchased $6 worth of Powerball, there were three sets of numbers on the Quick Pick ticket.  The very last set of numbers on the ticket was worth $50 million!

"After checking my ticket on the Internet, I immediately signed the back of the ticket and called a financial planner," said the winner.  "Our financial planner was just as excited as we were about our win and came over to the house right away.  He also helped us get in contact with an attorney."

Once the winners were advised by their financial planner and attorney, they put their winning ticket in a fireproof lockbox until they were able to make the trip to Lottery headquarters in Topeka.  The couple elected to take the cash option, which was worth $32,679,738.  After 25% is taken for federal taxes, $8,169,935, and 5% for state taxes, $1,633,987, the winners will receive a lump sum payment of $22,875,816!

Winning this amount of money is unbelievable," said the winner. "We plan to share our winnings with our children and other family members and start college funds for our grandchildren.  We haven't slept in two days, so we haven't planned what else we might do with the winnings.  You always have the thought of winning, but when you do win it's very overwhelming."

The Johnson county residents, who have been married 48 years, have three children and five grandchildren.  They are both retired.

The winning ticket was purchased at 7-Eleven 25951, located at 11023 Johnson Dr. in Shawnee.  For selling the jackpot-winning ticket, the store will receive a $10,000 selling bonus.