Lea Rose Fiega, employed by an insurance company, had a habit of buying scratch-off lottery tickets several times a week at the same Lucky Stop convenience store located in Southwick, Massachusetts.
“I was in a rush at lunchtime and I scratched it really fast.
I saw it, it didn't seem to be a winner, so I handed it in to be thrown away, ”says Fiega.
The ticket, which had cost him $ 30, stayed behind the counter for 10 days
, until the owner's son found the ticket while going through the trash.
[The winning ticket of the Mega Millions jackpot of $ 516 million was sold in Pennsylvania: it is the biggest prize in the history of the state]
"And I saw that they had not scratched a number," Abhi Shah told local station WWLP-TV.
"I scratched it and the prize of 1 million appeared
.
"
He thought about buying a new car, a house, and even another convenience store.
Since Fiega is a regular customer, the family knew immediately who had bought it.
They consulted as a family and decided that it would be best to return the winning ticket.
Shah went to find Fiega at his work, located near the store.
Lea Rose Fiega, winner of a $ 1 million scratch ticket in Massachusetts on March 30, 2021. Courtesy: Massachusetts State Lottery Commission
“He came to my office and said, 'My mom and dad want to see you,'” she commented.
“I said 'I'm working,' to which he replied, 'no, you have to come.'
So I went and that's when they told me.
I could not believe it.
I cried, I hugged them
”.
Fiega said surviving COVID-19 in January was like “winning the lottery,” so she feels doubly lucky.
"Who does that?
They are amazing people.
I am more than blessed, ”she commented.
[He stole his friend's lottery ticket and it all ended like this]
The store gets a $ 10,000 bonus from the state lottery commission for selling the winning ticket.
Fiega said he will give the family an additional prize.
The rest will be saved for retirement.
With information from AP and The Washington Post