‘Lottery Club’ Wins $2M Lottery Prize In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — The winner of the $2 million winning Mega Millions ticket sold in Fairfield on Aug. 24 has been revealed and it’s a “Lottery Club” at a realtor right here in Fairfield. The lucky “Lottery Club” was organized six years ago by Karen Cross, of Trumbull, at Al Filippone Associates at William Raveis Real Estate in Fairfield where she diligently collected the money, bought the tickets and checked the numbers after every drawing. (Read more from the CT Lottery on the $2 million winners below):

Oddly enough, Cross gave it little thought when she received an early morning text alert that a $2 million winning Mega Millions ticket was sold in Connecticut for the Friday, August 24 drawing. When Cross later learned the winning ticket was sold at the Wheels Convenience Store in Fairfield, she kicked into high gear — it was the same place she last purchased group’s tickets.

The winning numbers drawn on August 24, 2018 were 1 - 6 - 13 - 18 - 49, Mega Ball 8 and Megaplier 2. To sign up for Fairfield breaking news alerts and more, click here.

Tickets in hand, Cross discovered one that missed the winning Mega Ball number, but matched the first five white ball numbers drawn.

“I wasn’t sure what we won,” Cross told Lottery officials. “I thought it was $5,000 at first, but we were optimistic.”

Wasting no time, Cross returned to Wheels and scanned the ticket, while co-worker Vicki Ihlefeld, of Fairfield, FaceTimed with two other members of the Lottery Club back at the office. When the congratulatory message “Winner $2,000,000” popped up on the Ticket Checker, it took their breath away. “We stayed quiet and held it together in the store — we got goosebumps, but when we got inside the car we both just started screaming.”

Because the Mega Millions “Quick Pick” ticket was purchased with the Megaplier feature added, the $1 million prize was automatically multiplied by 2 for $2 million.

On Wednesday, Cross and several other co-workers arrived at CT Lottery Headquarters in Rocky Hill to claim the $2 million prize on behalf of all 31 members of the Lottery Club. Once the prize is divvied up amongst the winners, each will receive $64,516.13 (before taxes). Each of the winners picked a charity to donate to, according to Cross.

“I always wanted one of these,” Cross said as she was handed the super-sized 'Winner' check and the group erupted into laughter. “I can’t believe we’re here. It’s been such a nice thing to share this experience with everyone together. We’re all so grateful.”

For selling the winning ticket, Wheels, located 2047 Post Road in Fairfield, will receive a $2,500 bonus from the CT Lottery.

Pictured: (bottom row to top, from left to right): Gina Hackett, Libby Tritschler, Liz Lewis, Karen Cross, Susana Chuka, Amy Desel, Christa Cusano, Leann Ratner, Pam Foarde, Vicki Ihlefeld, Wendy Ryan, Amie Lindwall Belile, Nicole Farrell, Amy Hios, Kelli Montanaro, Bob Manware, and Tracie Rigione.

Not pictured: Al Filippone, Amanda Heyn, Ann Small, Lisa Babington, Elish Telling, Nellie Snell, Gerry Vigorito, Jorge Rivera, Karen Waldvogel, Karin Fry, Katherine Wachtel, Liz Flavin, Maggie Smith, and Michael Daley.

Photo provided by “The Lottery Club”

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