Pa. Man Wins $86.7M Mega Millions Jackpot

Carl Szott and his wife, Janet, claim an $86.7 million Mega Millions jackpot prize from Lottery Executive Director Sil Lutkewitte. (Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lottery)

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A Pennsylvania man on Thursday claimed an $86.7 million Mega Millions prize, making him the first Keystone State resident to win the jackpot.

Carl Szott of Pittsburgh claimed the prize from the May 20 drawing, the Pennsylvania Lottery said. Lottery Executive Director Sil Lutkewitte on Thursday presented a ceremonial check for $86,755,350 to Mr. Szott, holder of the single jackpot-winning ticket from that drawing. Szott was accompanied by his wife, Janet.

“I’m very glad to introduce Carl Szott as the Pennsylvania Lottery’s very first Mega Millions jackpot winner,” Lutkewitte said. “This jackpot is also the fifth- largest prize in Pennsylvania Lottery history.”

Lottery winners have up to 100 days to claim winning prizes, the Pennsylvania Lottery said, and Szott waited the full 100. Szott waited to “make sure we were doing everything right,” he said.

“Winning the jackpot has been a surreal experience,” Szott said. “We hope that very little in our lives will change; we are really excited to be able to spend more time with our children and grandchildren.”

Szott purchased the ticket at White Oak Gas & Grocery, 1100 Fawcett Ave., White Oak, Allegheny County. The store will receive $100,000 for selling the winning ticket.

The odds of hitting the Mega Millions jackpot are approximately 1-in- 258,890,850, the Pennsylvania Lottery said.