Posted: 04/01/2014 03:04:37 PM PDT
Updated: 04/01/2014 03:19:33 PM PDT
MILPITAS -- A man came forward Tuesday to claim a record-setting $425.3 million lottery prize after purchasing a winning Powerball ticket from a Milpitas gas station in February.
The presumed winner wants to use his fortune to travel and start a foundation fighting child hunger and promoting pediatric health and education.
Ray Buxton, whose city of residence was not disclosed, apparently purchased the ticket for the Feb. 19 while buying food at the Chevron off Dixon Landing Road, according to a news release from Sam Singer and Associates, a high-profile Bay Area public-relations firm that has represented everyone from Gavin Newsom to Children's Hospital Oakland.
Lottery officials confirmed Buxton is the winner.
'Once the initial shock passed I couldn't sleep for days,' said Buxton, who is described as a senior citizen in the news release.
Buxton is the sole winner of the sixth largest U.S. jackpot ever, and the single-largest jackpot won in California.
According to the release, Buxton plans to take the lump sum, which will amount to $242.2 million before federal taxes.
It was the Bay Area's second big lottery win in as many months: A delivery driver named Steve Tran bought a winning ticket from an East San Jose gift shop sometime before a Dec. 17 drawing. He did not come forward until a few days after New Year's, when he found the winning ticket while looking through a drawer.
Tran gave a brief statement to lottery officials, saying he had immediately called his boss to let him know he wasn't coming in anymore, then dropped off the map. He took a $173.8 million cash payout out of the maximum $324 million prize.
Buxton has already hired a firm to handle bank accounts, taxes and to establish a charity, according to the release, which also said Buxton has declined interviews and is deferring media to Singer's firm.
Immediately after realizing he won, Buxton kept it to himself, and turned to the California Lottery's web page advising winners to line up legal and financial representation.
'Sitting on a ticket of this value was very scary. It's amazing how a little slip of paper can change your life. I'm going to enjoy my new job setting up a charitable foundation focused on the areas of pediatric health, child hunger and education,' he said.
He added that he plans to 'spend time with my family and friends, start a charity and consult with professionals on how to pragmatically utilize this windfall,' with a perhaps more ambitious plan of 'trying to find a way to live a normal and discreet life.'
Check back later for updates to this story.
Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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