“Lucky 16 Manhattan,” aka “Lucky 16 Trust,” added about $1.65 million to their individual bank accounts. The group of 16 co-workers at a Manhattan biopharmaceutical company have been playing the lottery for the past five years and were more than thrilled to win a total of $58 million after one of their tickets was a perfect match for the Mega Millions jackpot drawn on March 24.
Lucky 16 Manhattan, aka Lucky 16 Trust, have added $1.65 million to their bank accounts. Meet the clan known as the Lucky 16 Manhattan, who made headlines in March after winning several million dollars in the New York lottery.
In 2010, the co-workers of Ophthotech, a biopharmaceutical company located in Manhattan, agreed to pitch $4 each for a total of $64 to play the lottery every week.
In order not to create chaos, lawsuits and not to destroy their friendships, every week, the clan would designate one person who would drive around the state and buy tickets.
That same person would send copies of all the tickets via emails to the other 15 co-workers. Evelyn Harrison, a member of the so-called Lucky 16 Manhattan, explained how they organized themselves. She said:
“We rotate who buys the tickets and the stores where we buy to be fair to everyone. We also require the buyer to send copies of the ticket to everyone in the group so we all have it.”
In late March, the 16 lucky employees, who are from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, as well as New Jersey and Ulster County, learned that they were the winners of a $58 million Mega Millions jackpot.
Among the winners are senior executives, administrative staff, and secretaries. When the winning numbers for the March 24 Mega Millions drawing, which were 02 – 23 – 32 – 45 – 55 – and Mega Ball 12, were announced several members of the group learned that they were wealthy.
Before contacting the other co-workers, those who were aware of the drawing verified over and over to be sure. Harrison confessed that it was hard to keep the rumors of the multi-million dollar win a secret in the office. Harrison, who is also the company COO, shared:
“There was a lot of buzz around the office following the drawing as everyone learned the jackpot winner was sold in our building.”
She went on to add that they have tried to pretend like it was an ordinary day and get their work done but in vain. The de facto spokesperson for the clan added:
“A few of us decided we should probably check our numbers and we went from one person’s computer to another’s checking each person’s scan of the ticket because we wanted to be absolutely sure. Once we were convinced, we sent an email to everyone else to tell them to check out the winning numbers for themselves.”
Matthew Jung, one of the Lucky 16, stated:
“There was a lot of energy in that room,” “We told ourselves to focus on work like nothing had happened. But, something did happen, and, to be honest, we didn’t accomplish a lot that day.”
The winning ticket was purchased at Carlton Cards in Penn Station, where the group met and decided to take the one-time cash payment of $38 million before taxes instead of receiving $58 million over several years.
The beneficiaries of the Lucky 16 Trust will receive $25,369,729 million, which means each person will finish with $1.65 million.
Many of them said that they will pay off their debts, (student loans, mortgages, credit card loans and more), and invest for their retirements.
Do not expect to hear the members of the “Lucky 16 Manhattan” buying fancy boats, expensive cars or blowing their money in Las Vegas.
Harrison told reporters that they are determined to watch out for another. She said:
“We’re a small group. We ground each other. We won’t let anyone get carried away.”
What are your thoughts on their lottery playing technique?
