Giuseppe Garofalo of Monmouth County Claims His Half of May 17 Jackpot

Drawing Date: 5/17/2013

TRENTON (May 23, 2013) - The New Jersey Lottery announced that Giuseppe “Joe” Garofalo of Tinton Falls came forth as the New Jersey winner of the $198 million jackpot from the MEGA MILLIONS drawing held on May 17.  The lucky winner arrived this morning at Lottery Headquarters, and joins a winner in Virginia in sharing this jackpot.  Mr. Garofalo chose the cash option, which means he will receive $73,279,052 before 25% federal withholding and 3% state income tax.  He purchased $10.00 worth of tickets for the May 17 drawing at Kwik Farms, 590 Shrewsbury Ave., Tinton Falls, Monmouth County.  One of those quick pick selections provided the winning numbers for this drawing.  Those numbers were:  11, 15, 35, 43 and 49.  The Gold Mega Ball was 41, and the Megaplier Multiplier was 04.

Mr. Garofalo said he has always thought he would win the lottery someday.  Even so, winning this jackpot was a wonderful surprise.  He checked his tickets at the retail store and, as soon as he realized his good fortune, he couldn’t wait to tell his wife he had the jackpot-winning ticket.  He decided once he could share the good news with her, he would consider what to do about going to work that day. Without a doubt, this Mega Millions win definitely helps to made 2013 a VERY good year for the Garofalo family!

Congratulations to the winner of this incredible jackpot,” said Carole Hedinger, executive director of the New Jersey Lottery.  “Joe did everything right that you could ask of a winner of a jackpot of this size – he signed the back of his ticket, put it in a safe place, and then took the time to think about what he wants to do with the money in the future, and the steps he needs to take to get there.  We love to see our winners do all of that before they come forward.”

“I have to admit, greeting our lottery winners is always a happy experience for me,” Hedinger continued.  “Today was definitely another of those wonderful meetings.  We all sat down, went through the necessary procedures, and a few moments ago, a very happy man and his family – now millions of dollars richer – left our offices.  Truly an exciting day all around!”

Executive Director Hedinger also noted that, while he will undoubtedly receive the most publicity, it is important to note that Joe is not the only winner today. From this single Mega Millions jackpot roll, which began on March 15, New Jersey generated more than $1.7 million in commissions for our lottery retailers and more than $14.5 million in support for State institutions and educational programs.  Mega Millions is truly a winning experience for all citizens of the Garden State.”

Watch live drawings on the New Jersey Lottery’s website (NJLottery.net), on our official Facebook page, or on CBS stations: WLNY 10/55 and CW Philly 57.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 participating jurisdictions. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Since its inception in 1970, the New Jersey State Lottery (NJLottery.net) has contributed nearly $21 billion to State education and institutions. In fiscal year 2012, the Lottery provided $950 million to support State educational programs and institutions. More than 6,500 businesses throughout the Garden State prosper from their partnership with the Lottery. Among its beneficiaries are: veterans homes, community and other colleges and universities, school nutrition programs, homes for the developmentally disabled, psychiatric hospitals, higher education scholarship programs and the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf.