Includes video report
LANSING, Mich. — A western Michigan man said he quit his job so he could show up to qualify for the lottery drawing Monday night in Detroit, and it paid off.
David Becker, of Wyoming, Michigan, is a high-low operator for a Grand Rapids-based company. Becker said he requested Monday off to get down to Detroit for the lottery drawing during the fireworks. He said when his work did not grant him the day off, he quit.
Becker is a retired General Motors worker and is collecting a pension. He said he would at least get $5,000 even if he lost to one of the four other contestants.
"It's a chance of a lifetime," Becker said.It sure was. Becker won $250,000 before taxes. He described his shock when the drawing wheel stopped on his color.
"It was stopping and I thought blue won," Becker said. "Then it went to yellow. I stumbled a little and said a naughty word."
Becker went to Lansing on Tuesday to cash in his winnings — about $176,000 after taxes, he said.
"I can live on that, can't you?" Becker said.
He said he will treat himself to a Harley Davidson motorcycle and the rest will go to bills.
Becker said one of his winning lottery tickets was one he picked up off the ground at a Wyoming Speedway gas station.
"I'm cheap," he said.
He said he would consider returning to work if the company takes him back because "he has to do something."
Congrats Mr Becker, Enjoy your win.
nice story. hard to believe, but nice story anyway...there is no way his company would considering the circumstances of his being guaranteed at least 5000k for the drawing not allow him the day off...the more i think about it the more unbelievable it is...why did they need him to work that bad to deny him his drawing...totally fabricated story on all counts...
When I read he found the winning ticket, I thought, OK here is trouble. But the video with the story clarified the situation. He found a losing ticket and entered it into a second chance drawing. I doubt if anyone can complain about that.
I always thought you were supposed to win the lottery and then quit your job, not the other way around!
I too find it hard to believe 2, but stranger things has happen. So just maybe it it is true.
He's living his life knowing he took the risk and made it.
Would be kinda hard living off $176K. Especially after dropping money down on a new Harley & Paying bills.
NICE!
How 'bout becoming disabled and then winning the Lottery ...........
just sayin'
Congrats Mr. Becker........
Well, dpoly1, I suppose it would be better than intentionally becoming disabled TO WIN the lottery.
B$Rizzle I believe he's collecting a pension from GM....
Congrats Mr.Becker, hope you can get your job back.
hello everyone, rookie here,hard to believe his co. would't give him the day off. his job as a high-low operator(what is that?)is a retirement job.if a person was in a career position they could't risk quiting for this.
He is collecting pension from GM (Generous Motors) so this money will not be desperately needed, I think.
He probably owns a fully paid home and has other investments.