Va. man claims Hot Lotto jackpot

Friday, May 05, 2006 posted 01:35 PM EDT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A Winchester, Va., machine operator became a millionaire on Thursday when he claimed the $8.5 million Hot Lotto jackpot won on March 18.

Donald Cox, 46, opted for the $5 million cash prize, which netted him $3.8 million after paying federal taxes. He still owes Virginia state taxes on his winnings, state lottery Director John Musgrave said.

Cox purchased his winning ticket from the State Line Market in Bunker Hill, W.Va., and picked up his winnings Thursday at the state lottery headquarters. The store will receive $84,700 for selling the winning ticket.

"This money has provided security for me and my parents," said Cox, who plans to leave his manufacturing job. "I expect to be able to earn enough from my investments to retire."

Cox said he has spent the past several weeks consulting with a tax attorney, and has created a trust account for his winnings.

"What it means is that with the funds tied up, there is no reason for solicitations of any kind," Cox said.

Cox's winning ticket was an "Easy Pick," where the computer randomly picked the winning numbers, which were 1, 8, 10, 23 and 33, with the Hot Ball being 11.

This jackpot is the third largest in the history of the game. A $10.78 million jackpot was won in 2004, and a $9.14 million prize was won in 2005.

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