Wilmington co-workers claim $1 million Mega Millions prize

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — We now know how bought a lottery ticket worth $1 million on Castle Hayne Road last week.

Four co-workers in Wilmington are celebrating after their Mega Millions win.

According to a news release from the NC Education Lottery, Daniel Richards from Wilmington, Deborah Stewart from Burgaw, John Blanton from Wallace and Joseph Romano from Wilmington work at a nuclear inspection company in Wilmington. They have a tradition of pooling their money to buy tickets when there’s a big jackpot. Friday they matched matched all five white balls to win $1 million at odds of 1 in 18.5 million.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Richards said after checking the numbers. He quickly shared the news with his co-workers.

Romano was at his daughter’s high school graduation when he found out.  Blanton was at the grocery store.

“I thought they were messing with my mind,” Blanton said. “I didn’t figure it out until I got home.”

Stewart was with her husband at home. She also didn’t believe the news and thought her colleagues were kidding around like they do at work.

The co-workers claimed their prize today at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After federal and state tax withholdings each player received $173,125. They all plan to use the money to pay bills, and all plan to take a fun vacation down the road.

They bought the $1 Quick Pick ticket at the Kangaroo Express on Castle Hayne Road in Wilmington.