程阳：美密歇根铁路工人中强力球3.37亿巨奖

    美国密歇根州44岁的前铁路工程师唐纳德-劳森(Donald Lawson)幸运地投中了有史以来第三大强力球彩票大奖，也是美国历史上排名第10位的彩票大奖，奖金金额高达3.37亿美元。

    劳森周五在一次新闻发布会上表示，不久之前他刚刚辞去了原来的工作，并告诉几位家人可以退休了。他表示，自己在中奖后所买的第一样东西是一包口香糖。

    劳森有妻子和两个女儿，他选择一次性领走税后大约2.25亿美元的奖金。

    他表示，目前还不知道该怎么处理这笔巨款，但他计划去旅游，并将继续过一种“简单的生活”。“我暂时要逃避一下，去某个安全的地方。”

Newly retired railroad engineer in Lapeer claims $337M Powerball jackpot

September 1, 2012  | 

LANSING -- A self-described hillbilly raised in Arkansas and living for the last 10 years in Lapeer claimed the largest lottery prize in Michigan history Friday -- a $337-million multistate Powerball jackpot.

Donald Lawson, a 44-year-old father of two and railroad engineer, said it took his breath away when he realized he held the winning numbers, but he managed to recover well enough to call his boss hours later and announce his retirement.

Several relatives, also recently retired at Lawson's urging, joined him at the news conference. He said he'd share his winnings with them.

Lawson said other than not working and doing some traveling, he doesn't plan to change his life much.

"Yeah, I'm a millionaire now, but I'll still (go to) McDonald's. I don't like filet mignon or lobster. A simple life. That's what I want to continue to do," he said.

Lawson collected the lump-sum payment of $224.6 million -- along with $4 he won on another set of numbers from the same ticket.

As he was presented the mock check by Lottery Commissioner M. Scott Bowen, a deadpan Lawson asked: "Tax free, right?"

"Afraid not, bro," Bowen replied.

After taxes, Lawson will get $158.7 million.

Wary of the roomful of TV cameras trained on him at Michigan Lottery headquarters, Lawson declined to say where he lived, initially. Later, he said he is planning to "escape" Lapeer in any event and move to an undisclosed location.

Lawson said that he bought the winning ticket on impulse after seeing a long line at a gas station.

His winning numbers (6, 27, 46, 51, 56 and Powerball 21) were selected by inspiration, he said.

"I didn't really pick 'em. My hand just went ... guided from above."