4/16/2009 - 3:39 PM

Bernice Woman Surprised By Claiming $200,775 Easy 5 Jackpot

Julia Wells of Bernice displays her "big check" for $200,775, the Easy 5 jackpot amount from the April 4 drawing, which she claimed at the Lottery's Monroe office.

Coming in to the Lottery's Monroe regional office, Julia Wells of Bernice had no idea she was about to become $200,775 richer - the amount of the Easy 5 jackpot from the April 4 drawing.

"I didn't know how much I won. I stopped to get my tickets checked at a store and was told I had to go to a Lottery office," said Wells, age 56. "The lady at the office asked if I knew how much I won and I told her,'More than $250.' She said, 'Quite a bit more!'"
 
"I still just can't believe it," added Wells, who said she plans to donate some of her winnings to her church.
 
Wells ticket matched all five of the Easy 5 numbers drawn on April 4. She received $140,542 after required state and federal tax withholdings.

She purchased her winning ticket at Gas Lane #11 on Highway 61 in St. Francisville.  Gas Lane #11 will receive a one-time selling bonus of $2,007, or 1 percent of the jackpot prize.

The winning numbers for the April 4 Easy 5 drawing were 1-18-19-33-36.

Persons must be at least 21 years of age to purchase a Lottery ticket.  Anyone who has a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem are encouraged to call toll-free 1-877-770-7867.

For security purposes, the Lottery strongly encourages players to sign the back of their ticket after purchasing.  Information about the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, including other Easy 5 winners, can be found on its Web site, www.louisianalottery.com.