Financial analyst wins $208M lottery jackpot in New York
MIDDLE ISLAND, N.Y. >> A Silicon Valley financial analyst came forward Friday to claim a $208 million lottery jackpot after buying the winning ticket in New York last month.
Daniel Bruckner of San Jose, Calif., and his wife, Christine, joined New York State Lottery officials at the Long Island supermarket where the lucky Mega Millions ticket was sold.
They said they would take a lump-sum payment that will leave them with $101 million after taxes, lottery officials said.
"It’s very surreal," Bruckner said. "It’s exciting, but very surreal."
The winning Mega Millions numbers were drawn on Dec. 27. Bruckner, 35, said he bought the ticket while visiting relatives on Long Island over the holidays. He said he typically shops at the store when he is in the area.
"I picked up food for dinner and saw how big the jackpot was so I decided to buy a ticket," he said in a statement released by the lottery.
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Bruckner said he plays the Mega Millions game from time to time but before winning big in December had never won more "than a few bucks."
Bruckner, who said he was born and raised in California, and his wife, who grew up on Long Island, said they have not decided what to do with their money. They declined to say whether they had children.
Last year, a trio of Connecticut money managers split a $254 million Powerball jackpot.