[Honeykiss1974]

Winner Claims $162M Lottery Ticket Said To Be Lost

POSTED: 7:21 a.m. EST January 6, 2004
UPDATED: 12:06 p.m. EST January 6, 2004

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- The Ohio Lottery says a South Euclid woman turned in the winning ticket for a $162 million Mega Millions lottery, not the Cleveland woman who claims she lost the ticket last week.

Rebecca Jemison turned in the ticket for the 11-state jackpot at Ohio Lottery headquarters in downtown Cleveland. She and her husband appeared at a news conference Monday morning to claim the prize.

Jemison has a husband, Sam, and a 12-year-old daughter.

Officials say Jemison is taking the lump-sum cash payout, worth about $95 million before taxes, which is worth $67.2 million after taxes.

"I've been playing these numbers for approximately two years," Jemison said.

But she said she only plays them when the jackpot is high. She told reporters, "I guess it paid off."

She said she picked the numbers randomly. She said it took her so long to come forward because she's been working with an attorney and an accountant.

"Luck had nothing to do with this, this was truly a blessing," Jemison said.

Jemison said now that she's won the lottery, she's "going to Disneyworld."

The announcement came after Elecia Battle, (pictured, left) said that she dropped the winning ticket in the parking lot outside the South Euclid store where she bought it.

Jemison said she felt "anger" when she heard that someone else claimed to have bought and lost the winning ticket. She said she'll "let the authorities handle her."

Battle told police she dropped her purse and didn't realize the ticket had fallen out until after the drawing.

Police said it's too bad because whoever turns up with the ticket is considered the winner.

Millionaire wanna-bes gathered outside the store Monday searching for the ticket. People looked under bushes and in trash.

"For $162 million, yeah, it's worth being out here probably all night," said Jim Allen.

However, Battle believes the ticket still belongs to her.

"It's my ticket. I lost it. I will be more than glad to reward you," Battle said.

Battle's attorney is expected to make a statement about the reward on Wednesday.

After the final tally, officials said the ticket is worth $162 million and a one-time cash payment of $95 million.


Battle said the numbers are significant in her life.


12-18 is her son's birthday.
32 is her other son's birthday reversed.
36 is year her sister was born.
49 is her husband's age.
21 was picked for luck.


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