For 16 Ocean County, N.J. Workers, Winning Powerball Ticket May Be Worth $3.6 Million Each
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Friday was the first day of the rest of their lives. But what did they do?
A group of employees from the Ocean County Vehicle Maintenance Department share one of three winning tickets from Wednesday night's $448.4 million Powerball jackpot. Despite knowing they hold the winning ticket, all 16 of the workers showed up for work Thursday, and some returned Friday, said James Pine, director of the Vehicle Maintenance Department.
"That's the type of people they are," Pine said.
For 16 Ocean County, N.J. Workers, Winning Powerball Ticket May Be Worth $3.6 Million Each
"I am so happy for these 16 people," he added. "I'm just so happy for them."
Pine said the winners -- a group of men and women, young and old -- would come forward next week but are asking for their privacy in the meantime, CBS 2's Dray Clark reported.
For 16 Ocean County, N.J. Workers, Winning Powerball Ticket May Be Worth $3.6 Million Each
The ticket, which contained the winning numbers 5, 25, 30, 58, 59 and Powerball 32, was sold at the Little Egg Harbor Acme Market. The two other winning tickets were sold at a Super Stop & Shop in South Brunswick, and at a store in Minnesota.
If taken in a lump sum, each of the three winning Powerball tickets is worth $86 million before taxes, or $58.3 million after taxes. They are worth $149.4 million over 30 years if the winners choose the annuity option.
Divided by 16, the after-tax amount each of the 16 winners would get, if paid in a lump sum, would be about $3.6 million.
Some of the Ocean County winners suffered losses during Huperstorm Sandy, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported. The workers also helped keep the county's fleet running during the storm.
"When you're a department head in Ocean County, we're a family," Pine said. "We work hard together. We go through snowstorms, Sandy together as a family. That's what we are.
"They're all on cloud nine, I can tell you that."
Residents of Toms River told CBS 2's Cleve Bryan they were happy to know the winners could be their neighbors.
"Honestly, it makes it better that someone working hard actually won the money," said Chris Ramus. "I'm so glad for them."
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