Harford County Coworkers Share $50K Powerball Prize

ABINGDON, MD — A group of 14 co-workers in Harford County won $50,000 in a recent Powerball drawing. Two men claimed the prize money on Friday, March 29, according to the Maryland Lottery.

When the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpots reach $300 million, a man identified only as "Joe" says he organizes an office pool at the logistics firm in Harford County where he works, according to the Maryland Lottery. It's $5 for those who want to try their luck.

In the past, the group has won small amounts, cashing out for a maximum of $32 each, lottery officials said.

Their team play paid off on March 20, when the Powerball jackpot was about $550 million. The 14 people who participated in the Harford County office pool matched four of the five numbers as well as the Powerball in that night's Powerball drawing, according to the Maryland Lottery.

They purchased their ticket at Beverage Barn on Emmorton Road in Abingdon.

Once taxes are taken into account and the Powerball prize is split 14 ways, the money will be enough to "get some crabs and have some people over," according to Matt and Joe, the co-workers who went to the Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore to pick up the big check. They also told Maryland Lottery officials that they envision using the money to pay bills and take a family trip.

And they plan to keep playing the lottery.

After leaving the Maryland Lottery headquarters, Joe said: “I’m probably going to stop on the way out and pick up a ticket or two."