The winner of the last month's $425 million US Powerball jackpot finally claimed his prize on Tuesday, but the winner was so keen to protect his privacy he hired a public relations expert to represent him.
Sam Singer of Singer Associates Public Affairs and Public Relations identified the winner as Ray Buxton and added he was a middle-aged professional from the Bay area who had quit his job after he realized he'd won the lottery.
Buxton bought his winning ticket from Chevron station in Milpitas and his lucky numbers did him proud in the drawing held on February 19, but he chose not to come forward straight away because he needed time to figure out his finances.
Singer also told lottery officials he and his client planned to start a foundation to combat child hunger and encourage pediatric health and education.
Buxton scooped the largest every jackpot ever won by a Californian lottery player. He chose to take his winnings as a lump sum rather than annuity payments and will receive $242 million before state and federal taxes.
The US Powerball is a multi-state draw that offers a minimum jackpot of $40 million. Numbers are drawn on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 22:59 (EST). The jackpot on offer this Wednesday is $60 million.
