"We have no immediate plans - just to be wise about spending it." -- George Carrier Florida Lotto Jackpot Winner
An Auburndale (Polk Co.) man's trip to North Florida truly paid off this weekend. While visiting relatives west of Chipley (Washington Co.), he bought the winning Florida Lotto ticket for the Oct. 4 drawing. On his way back home to Auburndale Monday, he collected his estimated $14 million jackpot prize.
George Carrier, 60, stopped by Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee to collect his prize this morning. He could have received his winnings in 30 annual installments of approximately $466,000(1) per year, but instead he chose a lump-sum payment of $8,058,970.15.
Total ticket sales for this jackpot generated approximately $9.89 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund for Florida's schools.
"Everybody in Chipley knows everybody else, so I guess they are trying to figure out which one of them won the Lotto jackpot," George said. "I'm taking the money back to the Tampa area."
George bought his winning ticket at Tom Thumb #91, located at 1034 Main Street in Chipley (Washington Co.). The store will receive a $10,000 retailer bonus for selling the winning jackpot ticket. The winning numbers for the October 4, 2003 drawing are: 04 - 07 - 15 - 25 - 38 - 40.
"We have no immediate plans - just to be wise about spending it," George said.
George is the 2nd Florida Lotto winner to purchase a winning ticket in Washington County and 24th Polk County resident to win a Florida Lotto Jackpot. He is the 733rd Lotto winner to win at least $1 million since 1988.
The jackpot for Wednesday's Florida Lotto drawing is estimated at $3 million! The drawing will be broadcast live on 13 television stations statewide at 11 p.m. EDT. Please Play Responsibly "$13 Billion for Florida's Schools" (1) Prize estimate based on current interest rates on day of prize claim.
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