Three winning Mega Millions lottery tickets were sold in last week’s $656 million jackpot. So far, none have stepped forward with their winning tickets; however, a Baltimore, Maryland woman, Merlande Wilson, claims she purchased one of the three winning tickets.
Wilson’s claims have drawn skepticism and criticism. Wilson’s co-workers at a Westport, Maryland McDonalds insist they get a share of the Maryland jackpot. Wilson disagrees saying she purchased a separate set of tickets on her own and her ticket
We had a group plan, but I went and played by myself. [The ˜winning’ ticket] wasn’t on the group plan, McDonald’s winner” Mirlande Wilson 37, told The New York Post yesterday, insisting she alone bought one of the three tickets nationwide that will split a record $656 million payout.
There is yet another twist to the story, Wilson claims she cannot find the winning ticket, telling The New York post her ticket is “hidden somewhere at McDonanld’s.”
The winning ticket was sold at 7:15 pm at a 7-Eleven store one block away from McDonald’s. While the store had a survalience video, there were too many people in the store at that time to positively identify Wilson.
Wilson has retained an attorney, Edward Smith, who says he has not seen the winning ticket and he doesn’t want to.
Smith arranged for a news conference. During the conference, Wilson remained slumped in her chair, looking at the ground or playing on her cell phone. Smith finally told the press to go home, leaving many to question the legitimacy of Wilson’s claim to the winning ticket.
Maryland Lottery spokeswoman Carole Everett said Monday, “… We really won’t believe anybody till they walk in with a ticket and the ticket is valid ” and they have identification.”
Wilson’s co-workers aren’t the only ones to learn, first hand, about greed.
In New Jersey in 2010, a group of asphalt workers who regularly played Mega Millions sued a co-worker who disappeared after a November 2009 drawing. The co-worker said he needed foot surgery, but crew members found his name on a list of Mega Millions winners: He had claimed $38.5 million. A jury last month ordered him to share the jackpot, reported USA TODAY.
In yet another twist to the story, a Mississippi woman is now claiming her son, 43-year-old Michael Dronet, purchased Maryland’s winning ticket at the same 7 -Eleven as Wilson.
Despite numerous rumors to the contrary, no one has come in to claim the prize, said Maryland Lottery Director Stephen Martino. We will announce when we have a confirmed winner.
The first in Maryland to produce the winning ticket will walk away with a cool $157.8 million.