Features

Two friends win $29 million in the Lottery

The Associated Press
Thursday March 21, 2002

SAN FRANCISCO — Two friends who bought lottery tickets at a downtown smoke shop came forward Thursday to claim one-third of Wednesday’s $87 million California Lottery jackpot. 

Lottery spokeswoman Norma Minas said longtime friends Jerry McGovern and John Landers spent $10 and won $29 million. Because they took the cash value option, they will actually receive $14 million. 

“Jerry was driving into his office this morning when he heard on the radio that somebody who bought a ticket from D&T smoke shop had won the lottery and told his wife ’That is where I bought my ticket,”’ Minas said. When he arrived at his office he checked the Lottery’s Web site and learned he had the winning ticket. 

McGovern, who spent $9, will receive 90 percent of the total amount they won and Landers, who only spent $1, will receive 10 percent. 

The store will receive a commission of $150,000 for selling the winning ticket. 

It was the first of three winning tickets to be turned in, Minas said.