Meat workers' prize isn't chopped liver
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Eight workers at a Nebraska meatpacking plant are really bringing home the bacon now: They stepped forward yesterday to claim the biggest lottery jackpot in US history -- $365 million.
The seven men and one woman bought the winning Powerball ticket at a convenience store near the
''This is a great country!" said Quang Dao, 56, who came to the United States in 1988. He still has family in Vietnam and said he plans to help them financially with his winnings.
The Nebraska workers had the option of taking the money in one lump sum or 30 annual installments. They chose the lump sum and will get $15.5 million each after taxes.
Three of the group quit their jobs when they hit the jackpot.
''I've been retired for about four days now," said Eric Zornes, 40.
Alain Maboussou, 26, who fled war-torn Central Africa, said he plans to quit work and return to school for a degree in business administration. He said the money will provide for his wife and baby daughter. ''She's going to be happy for the rest of her life," he said of the 3-month-old girl.
Mike Terpstra, 47, a plant supervisor who is single and has no children, was unsure what to do with the money.
''Everybody has dreams," he said. ''Buy an island. Buy an airplane. In reality, I'm not a fan of flying and don't really like water."
The other winners were David Gehle, 53; Chasity Rutjens, 29; Dung Tran, 34; and Robert Stewart, 30.
