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NJ Mega Millions jackpot goes to Vernon resident





NJ MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT GOES TO VERNON RESIDENT

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Jai Agnish, Staff Writer, @JaiAgnish ,  Kaitlyn Kanzler   | NorthJersey


TRENTON — Meet the state's newest multi-millionaire. Richard Wahl, a
47-year-old  production manager at AAK Foodservice from Vernon, is the sole
winner of the mammoth $533 million Mega Millions jackpot. 



The prize is the largest lottery win in New Jersey history, and the
fourth-highest Mega Millions jackpot ever.

Wahl opted for the one-time cash option, and after taxes is expected to collect
about $175 million. A whopping $149 million will go to pay income taxes.

"We're a humble family and we're going to keep our roots,"  Wahl told reporters
Friday.



New Jersey Lottery officials quickly called a news conference for their
superstar at Lottery Headquarters on Friday, a day after he came forward.
Wahl waited two weeks before claiming his windfall. 

Wahl, who moved to New Jersey from Michigan last July, said he would like to
rebuild a 1964 Corvette and also hopes to do charity work with his money.

"We are not the type to run out and spend all the money and have a great time
and party it up," Wahl said. 

At first, Wahl said, he looked at the ticket and thought he won $1 million. "I
was excited. Life-changing money."




He became emotional when recounting the moment he realized he won the jackpot.
"It didn't sink in. It was truly amazing." He said he walked upstairs and told
his wife they were going on vacation. "We hit it," he told her. Then reviewed
the numbers about 15 times more, just to make sure, he said.

Wahl said he and his family are Catholic, but have not yet found a church in New
Jersey.  He said the plan for the money includes doing "a lot of good things
with it." He said he will consult with his financial team, which was present at
the news conference, before deciding on the plan.



"For us we believe God has a plan...it's not only life-changing money for me, we
want it to be life-changing money for others. Family, friends, people in need,"
he said. His mother is on "reduced income,"  he said, and now he will be able to
help her.

When asked whether or not he would move, Wahl said no decisions have been made. 

He said he found out he won on Good Friday and didn't leave the house the entire
weekend. The ticket, purchased the day before the drawing, went into a fireproof
safe.



He went back to the gas station on Saturday for gas and once he realized news
reporters were there, he and his family quickly left so as to not be
recognized. 

An analysis by The Record and NorthJersey.com found that the biggest Mega
Millions winners usually take about 12 days to come forward. Wahl took an extra
two days. Lottery officials say it's not unusual for winners to wait even
longer. 

Daniel Mahler, a certified public accountant with Gisler & Mahler in
Bloomingdale, said the winner is going to have to get used to saying, "no."

“This guy has to watch himself," he said.  "Everybody’s going to come after him.
Everybody looks for a handout."



Unlike some other states winners, don't have the option to remain anonymous in
New Jersey, lottery officials said. They are also required to participate in a
news conference.

Wahl was joined Friday by New Jersey Lottery Acting Executive Director John M.
White, and Acting State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio



On April 2, lottery officials presented a $30,000 bonus check to the Lukoil
mini-mart in Riverdale, where the winning ticket was sold. The owner of the
store, Ameer Krass, said he had been able to identify Wahl by
reviewing surveillance footage. But he said he didn't try to contact the lucky
ticket holder. He also urged anyone who might know him to give the winner "the
space they deserve."



New Jersey's only other appearance on the top-10 Mega Millions winnings list was
in 2007 when the state shared a $390 million jackpot with Georgia, according to
the Mega Millions website. That is now the eighth-highest win in the game's
history.



New Jersey was the seventh state to join the consortium almost three years after
the game began in the summer of 1996 as the Big Game. Today, 44 states
participate along with Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.



Follow Jai Agnish on Instagram and Twitter: @JaiAgnish.

Email: Agnish@northjersey.com.


MORE ON THIS STORY

Free advice for the winner: Get ready to say no a lot, accountant tells Mega
Millions mystery winner

Where's the winner: Most Mega Millions winners step up in 12 days, but Jersey's
$533M jackpot still unclaimed

A 'regular': NJ Mega Millions winner may be 'one of our regulars' from North
Jersey, but hasn't been identified


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