10/10/2005 - 9:07 AM

Metairie Attorney Wins $650,000 Lotto Jackpot

Richard said he was watching television Sunday when he saw that the jackpot winning ticket was sold in Metairie; however, he didn't seriously consider the possiblity he could be the winner until he took his ticket back to Discount Stop on Metairie Road in Metairie, where he purchased it, to have them scan it this morning.

The clerk told me the terminal said to report to the Lottery office. It was an usual message, so I asked her for a list of the winning numbers. That's when I knew," Richard said.

Richard became the 12th Louisiana Lotto jackpot winner of 2005. He received $455,000 after federal and state income taxes were withheld. Richard said he usually uses the ages of his five grown children to play, but this time chose a quick pick.

Discount Stop will receive a one-time bonus of $6,500, or 1 percent of the prize. The winning numbers for the Oct. 8 Lotto drawing were 7-15-17-19-21-29.

Richard's immediate plans are to invest his winnings. Looking at his check, he joked that he never had a $1 investment pay off like this before. "It's quick and unexpected, kind of like a storm," he said.

The Lottery encourages anyone who thinks they may have a gambling problem or has friends or family who may have a gambling problem to call toll free 1-877-770-7867. Ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age.