23 co-workers claim largest jackpot in NY history

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Twenty-three co-workers from Long Island who buy lottery tickets as a group on a weekly basis are the winners of the largest Mega Millions jackpot in New York Lottery history.

The drawing which was held on Jan. 1 was for a whopping $437 million.

The group, which claimed the prize under the name New Life LLC, opted to take the single lump sum payment of $252,213,914, according to state lottery officials. The group will receive a net check of $176,155,308 after taxes.

Each co-worker placed a dollar in an envelope that one member took to buy the tickets. The winning ticket was part of a $5 Super Pack where one Quick Pick game is purchased for each of the NY jackpot games including Mega Millions, Powerball and Lotto.

"There was a lot of crying, hugging and jumping around that day. Many of the members double and triple checked the ticket in disbelief," said lottery officials in a press release.

It is the first time the purchase of a Super Pack included a winning jackpot ticket.

The winning numbers were 34-44-57-62-70, with Mega Ball 14. It was sold at Brookville Auto Service on Route 25A in Glen Head.

The store owner received a $10,000 commission.

In the 10-weeks leading up to the historic win on New Year's Day, Aid to Education accrued more than $25.4 million and Lottery retailers earned $4.36 million in commissions, said lottery officials.