LINCOLN, Neb. -- Eight workers at a Nebraska meat processing plant claimed the record $365 million Powerball jackpotthe largest in U.S. historyon Wednesday, giving each about $15.5 million after taxes, reported the Associated Press.
The seven men and one woman, introduced by Governor Dave Heineman, all work at a ConAgra ham processing plant near the U-Stop convenience store where they bought the winning ticket for Saturday's lottery.
Click here to view photos posted [image-nocss] on the U-Stop website.
"I didn't know what to think," said winner Robert Stewart, 30, who said he was a maintenance supervisor before the win. "I still don't know what to think." In addition to Stewart, the winners were identified as Quang Dao, 56; David Gehle, 53; Alain Maboussou, 26; Chasity Rutjens, 29; Michael Terpstra, 47; Dung Tran, 34; and Eric Zornes, 40.
Whitehead Oil is an area fuel supplier distributing through 37 locations, including 21 Phillips 66-branded U-Stop c-stores in and around Lincoln. Mick Mandl owns and operates five U-Stop Convenience Stores, including the locationmanaged by Kelly Bowenwhere the winning ticket was sold. The store reportedly will receive $50,000 for selling that ticket.
The winning numbers were 15, 17, 43, 44 and 48, with a Powerball number of 29, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association of Des Moines, Iowa, which runs the game for the participating states. Powerball tickets are sold in 28 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The previous U.S. lottery jackpot record was $363 million for the Big Game, the forerunner of Mega Millions. Powerball's previous record jackpot, $340 million, was won by an Oregon family in October.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.