Forty-four. A lucky number indeed.
It was one of six winning numbers in a recent $10-million Florida Lotto jackpot. It was also the number of local winners — 44 workers at University Community Hospital-Carrollwood.
The fortunate 44 struck it big Nov. 19, but waited until Tuesday to claim their lump-sum prize of nearly $5.9 million, which breaks down to nearly $134,000 per person.
To claim their winnings, they formed a group called the Surgical Services Lottery Trust. The winners want to remain anonymous, even after the Florida Lotto released a list of their names.
"Even with their names out there, they still don't want to be interviewed or want their pictures in the paper or anything," said Priscilla Neils, the hospital's director of surgical services. Although Neils wasn't one of the winners, she works with many of them.
The winners are trying to steer clear of gold diggers, estranged family members and other "opportunists," Neils said. "Plus they don't want to get robbed in the parking lot," she said with a chuckle.
Staying low-key may be a good idea, especially with the lottery win coming during the holidays, said Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin. "The holidays bring out the best in people but also the worst in some people," he said.
Even with the group being wary of publicity, Neils said there has been a joyous mood at the hospital. Calling the group of winners "hard workers," she said "they're all very happy" about the win.
"It's not enough (money) to quit your job," said Neils, "but it's enough to make you happy."
The hospital hasn't had any resignations, said spokeswoman Phoebe Ochman.
The payday was a long time coming for the workers, who have been pooling their money to play the lottery for years.
Although the Florida Lotto estimates that each winner will end up with nearly $134,000, that approximation is slightly off, according to word around the hospital.
"They were charged an excise tax on the individual winnings. So $96,000 is closer to the fact," Neils said. "Still, it's enough to pay off your car, your house or send your kids to college."
The winning numbers were 05-10-27-44-45-50. The Kash n' Karry at 4519 Gunn Highway in Tampa sold the winning ticket and gets a $10,000 bonus.
" The winners are trying to steer clear of gold diggers, estranged family members and other "opportunists," Neils said. "
Congratulations to all of them!! WTG!!!
Wow 44 people winning the jackpot. That's a lot of people. lol. They still ended up with a nice chunk of change though.
Good for them.Someone in that group has kept a breast of all of the nightmares that large lottery pools have experienced and organized this group to come to an agreeable and happy end to a mega hit. Good luck to them. I wish my co-workers could have this experience soon. Healthcare workers seem to be on a roll with these large jackpot wins.
litebets
Holy crap. I only lived about a mile north of there.
just think jimmy that could've been you at the Kash n Karry on Gunn highway grabbing a coke and a millions in lottery winnings.but then again you gotta think they pooled a lot of money into it.they could've been spending over a hundred bucks a drawing.........
I bet the 44 wished FL had Mega Millions or Powerball. But soon they will be able to play (if not already) a FL Lotto with even better payouts.
I don't think $96,000 would attract many gold diggers. More like silver or bronze diggers.
I don't think $96,000 would attract many gold diggers. More like silver or bronze diggers.
I agree! Also, isn't there federal income tax so it's much less? I'd love to win $134,000 but why would that attract a lot of attention? It's not even close to a surgeon's annual income. I guess I should google it, but what's the 28% excise tax they're talking about? Is that in addition to the federal income tax or in lieu of it because it was collected as a Trust? Still, it's a very nice bonus and would make me shout and do a silly dance, but certainly not something that will dramatically change someone's lifestyle.
i wouldn't mind 98 grand.......
I just won $10 on a scratch off tonight. Please no gold diggers. Thank you.
JK. I gave up on scracthers.
I just won $10 on a scratch off tonight. Please no gold diggers. Thank you.
JK. I gave up on scracthers.
For just $10 I don't think you have to worry.
Hopefully you are right. However I have not claimed the prize yet, and have contacted legal, and financial counsel. No one has contacted me about a press conference yet though. I am trying to remain as anonymous as possible, and I don't plan on much really changing after collecting the prize. I am hoping Good Morning America calls though, as I would love to be on TV for my 15 minutes of fame. Little do they know though that I have a long list of demands.
I don't think $96,000 would attract many gold diggers. More like silver or bronze diggers.
Well, some family and friends might gold dig for that amount.