Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Nurse Pranked By Own Son Into Thinking She Won Powerball Jackpot
It could happen to you. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Somebody's not welcome at Thanksgiving this year.On Wednesday a Pomona nurse was identified as one of the three winners of the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history, but in the end it turned out to be a prank done by her own ungrateful son. The winning ticket was said to have been one of 18,000 purchased by Shlomo Rechnitz, owner of the Park Avenue Health Care and Wellness Center in Pomona, and distributed to the employees and residents of the 80 nursing homes he owns across the state. "If this were a prank done by her son as they claim, I think it's somewhat detestable," Rechnitz told ABC 7. "I guess I'll give him the benefit of a doubt in wanting to make his mom happy for an hour or so." Yeah I'm sure his mom is real happy about that now.
According to the L.A. Times the son sent his mom a picture of a ticket showing the winning numbers—probably one of those dozens of Photoshops circulating on the Internet. A daughter of the woman said the whole situation was "embarrassing."
Rechnitz says to make it up to the woman he's going to buy her and her family an all-expense paid vacation anywhere they choose. In the meantime, the actual owner of the winning ticket in California still has yet to come forward.
Another winning ticket was sold in Florida, while a Tennessee family has come forward as the holders of the third ticket, parading it around on national television and all that.
"Don't answer the phone," a CPA advised winners in the L.A. Times. "Everyone and their brother will be calling asking for money."
Was it you? The winning numbers are 4, 8, 19, 27, 34, and the Powerball number is 10.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
