Columbia (WLTX) -- The man who won the $259.9 million jackpot has come forward: he's Solomon Jackson Jr. of Columbia.
Jackson joined lottery officials during a Tuesday news conference at the claims center in Columbia. Jackson grew up in Columbia and is a retired member from the State Department of Revenue.
Jackson bought the ticket at the Murphy USA gas station in front of Walmart on Garners Ferry Road in Columbia. Jackson says he bought two "quick pick" tickets, and one of them paid off.
"I stopped by my favorite place which is Walmart, saved 3 cents on gas, and said while I'm here why not throw two dollars at the lottery ticket, I did and they threw it all back at me," Jackson said.
Jackson's lawyer said the lucky winner bought the ticket with the intent of helping public education in South Carolina.
"It's a beautiful day for education in South Carolina," Jackson said, "I've always supported education, and I've always supported higher education."
"If I can justify this, only God knows what is ahead," Jackson said. "Someone has anticipated a change, but I'll still be Solomon."
Jackson retired in 2000 as an assistant administrator for the Department of Revenue. News19 has also learned that Jackson is the pastor at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Columbia. He says he has several children and grandchildren, but refused to say how many he has.
"Somebody's going to be blessed for me getting this blessing," Jackson said, "Education is the key. We've got to do something for education. I support education. If you can support education and win, you get a double blessing."
Jackson did not say if he will take the money as a lump sum, which would be $129 million, or the full amount paid out in an annuity.
The winning numbers for the August 19 drawing were 14, 24, 31, 43, and 51. The red Powerball® was 27 and the PowerPlay® multiplier was 5.
The game is played in 30 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
To date, South Carolina stores have sold six Powerball tickets that have matched all the numbers, but Jackson's jackpot was the largest ever won in the state. The largest Powerball prize ever came in 2006, when eight co-workers at the ConAgra Foods meat plant in Lincoln, Neb., won $365 million.
Contributing: USA TODAY
8/25/2009 11:24:47 PM
