New Jersey man claims $24.1 million lottery jackpot just before 1-year deadline

Tuesday, October 17, 2017
EAST ORANGE, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A retired security officer in New Jersey is a lucky, last-minute lottery winner.

WABC-TV reports, Jimmie Smith, 68, of East Orange, claimed the $24.1 million New York Lotto jackpot from a drawing held in May of 2016.
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He almost missed out on the big winnings, as the one-year deadline for claiming the prize approached.

Smith saw a news report about the missing winner, found a shirt with a pocket full of unchecked tickets, and realized Lady Luck was in fact on his side.
Smith, a father of two and grandfather of 12, said he plans to have an "all-family discussion" about what to do with the windfall.
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Smith said he's been buying tickets in New York City and in his home state since the 1960s, but has never been in a rush to check any of them. "I always told myself, 'I'll check them when I have the time,' he said."
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