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    The Lookout

    A lucky Lotto mistake

    What's better than winning $25 million in the lottery? How about winning $25 million when you never even intended to play?

    That's exactly what happened to Kathy Scruggs, 44, of Lithonia, Georgia. Scruggs, who won the state's Powerball jackpot last month, recently told lotto officials that she never meant to buy the ticket. The convenience-store clerk misunderstood her request.

    See Scruggs reaction here on CBS News.

    CNN's This Just In blog explains that Scruggs asked the store clerk for a Mega Millions ticket. Apparently the clerk thought Scruggs also said "Powerball" and charged her for that one, too. Scruggs didn't bother to raise a stink--probably the best decision the 44-year-old ever made.

    Scruggs chose the cash option and will get $15,124,017 (before taxes). She has big plans for her new windfall. According to the AP, Scruggs "plans to buy a car, travel, and help her family and others." CNN reports that she'd like to start a foundation for the homeless--and to use the money to help provide dental care to those who can't afford it.

    Baljit Suddan, the store clerk who sold Scruggs the ticket, doesn't remember making the sale. She said she hopes Scruggs will come in and visit so Suddan can "see her lucky face." The winning numbers were 16, 41, 42, 50 and 59, plus 5 as the Powerball.

    Prior to winning the big jackpot, Scruggs had been looking for work. "I've been looking and looking and looking," she told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. We're guessing her job hunt is now on the back burner.

     

    1,150 comments

    • Priscilla  •  1 mth 22 days ago
      I wish I was lucky!!
    • GAIL  •  7 mths ago
      Congratulations!!!
      • nev 7 mths ago
        Thats when the saying goes when ints your time to be lucky.....its will come to what matter what. on a silver platter.....
    • Eunice  •  7 mths ago
      You never know when your Blessing is coming. It is always on time. Congratulation! You go Girl.
      • paul 7 mths ago
        Eunice: You are just a doll ! Sweet comments, and I think they came from the heart.
      • Regina Fae 7 mths ago
        Amen Eunice! Blessings to you!
      • Phillip 7 mths ago
        AND SINCE WHEN DID GOD START CONDONING GAMBLING?
    • Brenda  •  7 mths ago
      Now thats what I call luck,good for her.I wish I could be that lucky!!!!
    • shameer  •  7 mths ago
      congratulations
    • Mad Scot AKA: Cealigh Mac ...  •  7 mths ago
      Well Congratulations to Miss Scruggs. She is truly a blessed person. And her thoughtfulness towards others really shows her character. I'm glad to hear that someone like her won and not some self oriented person or someone who doesn't need it.
      • the great husky 7 mths ago
        people say alot of things
      • Tomas 7 mths ago
        I agree! Time will tell whether she delivers on the promise to help those she DOES NOT know.
      • that guy 7 mths ago
        If she does help others she will be broke in 5 years (those are just the numbers). 95% of all lotto winners end up broke within 5 years and the number one reason is giving money to family and friends. Just like a socialist government a socialist family fails too.
    • vee  •  7 mths ago
      This blessing was yours congrats to you wishing you the best!!!
    • Sundancer  •  7 mths ago
      I love LOVE this woman's HEART!!!!!!!!!!!! :) God bless you girl !!!!......
    • angel51  •  7 mths ago
      What a great story! It's heartwarming to hear that someone who is humble and willing to give is able to win in such a big way! CONGRATULATIONS!
    • WaterKritter  •  7 mths ago
      A few months back I went in to pay for fuel on pump 11 and the clerk thought I meant I wanted a scratch off from bin 11. I went ahead and paid her and won 60 bucks.
      • Ken 7 mths ago
        Did you start a foundation?
      • helli3yte 7 mths ago
        yeah, for the "help me get rich" fund. how many organizations will lie to you about what they will do with the money. not i. i will let each and everyone know exactly how i spend it.
      • dm 7 mths ago
        ya its the shut up ken you piece of shit fund
    • Nunya  •  7 mths ago
      Good for her!! I'm loving her plans to help others! Congrats!
      • Melody 7 mths ago
        She has a generous heart, and it couldn't have gone to a more deserving person.
      • arora 7 mths ago
        good thinking dear , can we be friends , if yes then please add me on facebook id arora_salman@yaho.com
    • twid  •  7 mths ago
      I'm happy for this lady, and wish her all the best.
    • Atheist  •  7 mths ago
      It is people like her that deserve to win, have a look at how she plans to spend this money " give to the needy, the homeless" no selfish deed there?
    • Tammy from florida  •  7 mths ago
      Good for her !!!!! It was for her to win .... Enjoy it my dear .......
    • BelleM  •  7 mths ago
      I LOVE happy stories like these and the fact that Ms. Scruggs really needed the money and plans to help others vs. just going on some obscene spending spree. We need more news coverage of these kinds of stories vs. how some celebrity is buying a 9k square foot house, while so many people in the U.S. can barely afford the roof over their head.
    • spyke  •  7 mths ago
      i hope she puts that money to where she wants..seems like she wants to help some causes....
    • Linda W  •  7 mths ago
      very,very interesting guess her job hunt is on the back burner...oh, i wish i could be that lucky ducky.had dreams someone gave me 90,000.00 last night and woke up and i was just dreaming...lol
    • Toufan  •  7 mths ago
      The $25M is an annuity number, so that's the cumulative winnings you'd get if you chose for the payments to be spread out over 40 years. In other words, you'd get something like $600,000 every year for the next 40 years. On the other hand, you can choose to get all the cash upfront, but in that case, the rules say that you'd get somewhat less (basically the net present value of the total lottery winnings)
    • ziad  •  7 mths ago
      cong, i think you will be a pitch and very rude if you dont tip the clerck at least 10. 000 $. im seriouse about it.
    • Helen  •  7 mths ago
      that is wonderful
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