Brooklyn family wins $1 million prize

Drawing Date: 1/19/2016

March 14, 2016 - Nina Kochneva and three of her family members matched the first five numbers drawn from the January 19 Mega Millions drawing earning them the $1,000,000 second prize. The four family members from Brooklyn have been pooling their money together for close to a decade with the hope of providing a better life for their children.

Nina’s sister Tatyana Zeynalova purchased the ticket using a random series of numbers. “We talk about the numbers and change them all the time,” she explained. “But we always agree on what numbers to play before I buy the ticket.”

The winning numbers from the January 19 Mega Millions drawing were 2 – 17 – 31 – 39 – 47, Mega Ball 9.

The four members splitting the one-time lump sum payment include:

Tatyana Zeynalova who will receive a net check totaling $311,520;
Nina Kochneva who will receive a net check totaling $103,840;
Vladislav Sosunov who will receive a net check totaling $103,840 and
Marina Kochneva who will receive a net check totaling $103,839.

The extremely grateful family plans to use the winnings to help family. “We believe our prayers have been answered. We will use the money to help our children succeed by giving them the best education possible,” said Zeynalova.

The winning ticket was purchased at Brighton Discount Spirits on Brighton Beach Avenue in Brooklyn.