Calif. couple claims prize in record Powerball jackpot
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A California couple has claimed a $528.8 million share of a record Powerball jackpot in January, state lottery officials said Tuesday.
Flanked by security, Marvin and Mae Acosta went to a state lottery office in Van Nuys on Friday to claim their winnings from the record $1.6 billion Powerball drawing, said Alex Traverso, a spokesman for the California Lottery.
An attorney previously reached out to officials to prepare for the couple to come forward, he said.
The Acostas bought their ticket six months ago at a 7-Eleven in Chino Hills, California.
The store owner, Balbir Atwal, told CBS News correspondent Mireya Villarreal he couldn't believe that his store sold one of the winning tickets.
"I was watching TV, my store show up," store clerk, M. Faroqui told Villarreal. "I said, 'Hey! That's my store.'"
Atwal was awarded $1 million by the California State Lottery
It was one of three winning tickets sold for the Jan. 13 drawing, Winners in Florida and Tennessee came forward within days to claim their prize money.
No additional details were released about the California couple, who requested privacy. In a statement, the Acostas said they are dedicating nearly all of the prize money to a trust and charities.
"We are thankful and blessed for the rare gift that has been placed in our care," the statement said.
The couple will take their winnings in a cash option, totaling $327.8 million before federal taxes, lottery officials said.