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Tennessee Couple First to Claim Powerball Jackpot

1 minute read
Lisa and John Robinson of Munford, Tennessee appear on NBC News's TODAY Show in New York January 15, 2016 in a photo provided by the TODAY show. A Tennessee couple came forward on Friday with what they said was one of the three winning tickets for this week's record U.S. Powerball lottery jackpot, appearing with their lawyer on NBC's "Today" program. Lisa and John Robinson of Munford, Tennessee, revealed on the television show that they held a winning ticket to claim their share of the $1.6 billion Powerball prize. REUTERS/NBC News TODAY/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Lisa and John Robinson of Munford, Tennessee appear on NBC News's TODAY Show in New York on Jan. 15, 2016.NBC/Reuters
By Daniel White

A Tennessee couple stepped forward Friday to claim their share of the Powerball jackpot.

Lisa and John Robinson had one of three winning tickets for $1.6 billion prize drawing, the Tennessee lottery president Rebecca Hargrove announced. Appearing at a news conference at Tennessee lottery headquarters Friday afternoon, the Robinsons told the media that they have elected to take their earnings as a lump sum payment since they are “not guaranteed tomorrow.”

The Robinsons say they bought their tickets at a local grocery store in Munford, T.N. at the behest of Mrs. Robinson, who watched the Wednesday night drawing, carefully writing down the winning numbers. Two other winning tickets were sold in Chino Hills, California, and Melbourne Beach, Florida, but the winners there have not been announced yet.

Lump sum payments for each of the winners will payout about $327 million after taxes, the Associated Press reports. The first thing the Robinsons say they plan to do? Pay off their daughter’s student loans and show up for work on Monday.

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