Morris County's $533M Lotto Winner Revealed

RIVERDALE, NJ — Two weeks after a single ticket won the $533 million Mega Millions jackpot, the winner's identity has been revealed: Richard Wahl from Vernon, New Jersey. The Wahl family has opted for the cash option, meaning they will take home $175 million after taxes.

The winning ticket was sold at the Lukoil South gas station on Route 23 in Riverdale on March 30. Although the owner said last week that Wahl was a regular customer, Wahl disputed that characterization, saying, "I've been in there maybe four or five times."

Wahl, 47, who is originally from Michigan, played the lottery after chatting with a coworker about retirement. It was only the second time he had ever played Mega Millions, he said.

"Baby, we get to go on vacation," Wahl said, recounting how he told his wife they won the jackpot, tearing up as he spoke. He declined to say where they were headed, but that they were flying out tonight.

"We believe God has a plan, so for us the plan is to do a lot of good things with it," Wahl said, saying he wants to use the money to change the lives of his family, friends, and those in need.

Wahl said the family would not "go out and party it up," and would rely on financial advisors to make the most of their winnings. He declined to speak further about how specifically he would use the money for his family, but did say he looks forward to helping his retired mother and has always dreamed of rebuilding a 1960s Corvette.

He said the family is looking forward to contributing to communities in Mexico, where his wife is from.

A manager at AAK Foodservice, Wahl said he's helping the company find a replacement before retiring.

The winning numbers were 11, 28, 31, 46 and 59, and the gold Mega Ball was 1. Wahl said he used easy pick numbers when he bought the ticket, calling it proof that it was "God's plan."

It’s not unusual for winners of particularly large jackpots to wait several days, if not weeks, before stepping forward. Winners usually consult legal and financial professionals before claiming their life-changing winnings.

Wahl took home the 4th largest Mega Millions lottery jackpot in history, and the largest in New Jersey history.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.

New Jersey Lottery Acting Executive Director John M. White, left, pictured with winner Richard Wahl. Image via New Jersey Lottery Commission.