Michigan woman instantly quit job after winning $310M Powerball jackpot

Oct 6, 2015, 1:03 pm (65 comments)

Powerball

Includes video report

By Todd Northrop

LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan woman found out she was the winner of the $310 million Powerball jackpot while sitting in the drive-thru at McDonald's.

Julie Leach, 50, of Three Rivers, Michigan, was introduced as the big winner during a press conference on Tuesday held by the Michigan Lottery. 

Leach was a supervisor at Aquatic Bathware, a Michigan fiberglass factory, where she has worked for the past 23 years.  Leach learned she was the big winner while she was at the McDonald's drive-thru on a lunch break.

"I was having a really bad night at work and I thought I better check my numbers," she said.

After reading the numbers, Leach went back to work and her co-workers looked at her numbers to help her verify that she had actually won.  Minutes later, she quit her job.

"I quit automatically. I was done," she said. "I didn't go to sleep for over 30 hours when I found out."

Leach chose a lump sum of $197.4 million, or $140 million after taxes. It's Michigan's second-largest lottery prize.

Leach purchased the winning ticket at the Three Rivers West Shell gas station, located at 1223 W. Michigan Avenue. The gas station is 30 miles south of Kalamazoo.

The winning numbers in the Sept. 30 Powerball drawing were 21, 39, 40, 55, and 59, with Powerball number 17.  The Power Play number was 3.

VIDEO: Watch the press conference

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Funtimz's avatarFuntimz

As much as I would want to quit my job, I would try to be a little more cool about it. And no way would I take it for all to see. But Congrats to her.

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

I lost count how many times I said the same thing. If I win tonight it's goodbye.

When you're having a crappy time at work, nothing else matters but to get the heck outta Dodge.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Congratulations Julie Leach !!  Your hard work at a 23 year career has been rewarded. Thank You for doing the press interview. I am happy to see winners live.

 May you be blessed with wonderful life and please stay out of the news.

Party

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Just had a thought.

Can you imagine if this had been in Illinois???

Who knows when she would get her money.

plumsage's avatarplumsage

23 years.??  You deserve this enjoy your life.  Hurray!!!Party

psykomo's avatarpsykomo

 Julie>>>Julie>>>Julie>>>U deserve a "break" after 23 year$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!

                                                  Party

rock_nc's avatarrock_nc

Congrats to you! spend it wisely! Oh, the things i could buy, places i could go! Would like to travel the USA! What a dream come true! Would have to put some away, to keep the IRS from getting it! What would y'all do with that much money? Good Luck everyone on the New Powerball...

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Instant retirement. No more McD, better food from now on.

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Do not quit your job before you have your ticket verified and validated. If the lottery officials say your ticket is not valid, you will have to go crawling back and begging for your job. If you have to, go home sick and then quit after you have verified and validated your ticket. JUST A THOUGHT!!!!.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

I've had lots of bad days at work, still I think I'd wait till the check clears,

use vacation time or something.

But everyone has to make their own decisions to live with, so good for her.

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Congratulations to the winner Hurray!

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by Funtimz on Oct 6, 2015

As much as I would want to quit my job, I would try to be a little more cool about it. And no way would I take it for all to see. But Congrats to her.

She was still excited when she did the interview and probably exaggerated the circumstances. I personally know three jackpot winners of over $10 million each that basically did the same thing.

Julie Leach won $140 million after taxes and probably doesn't care if some people think she didn't act "cool enough" for their taste.

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Oct 6, 2015

Do not quit your job before you have your ticket verified and validated. If the lottery officials say your ticket is not valid, you will have to go crawling back and begging for your job. If you have to, go home sick and then quit after you have verified and validated your ticket. JUST A THOUGHT!!!!.

I Agree!

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by Funtimz on Oct 6, 2015

As much as I would want to quit my job, I would try to be a little more cool about it. And no way would I take it for all to see. But Congrats to her.

Being retired I wouldn't have that problem, all I would have do is take cash, cash the check and start spending.

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