The identity of Minnesota's newest Lotto Millionaires was revealed in a special press conference hosted at the Minnesota Lottery headquarters in Roseville on Monday, September 8, 2014.
Bethel residents Joe and Rhonda Meath matched the five main numbers and the Hot Ball in the US Hot Lotto drawing on Saturday, September 6, 2014, and scooped the entire $11.7 million jackpot.
When the lucky winners arrived at the lottery headquarters on Monday morning they were accompanied by three of their four children, along with several other family members and friends.
The Meaths described themselves as just ordinary people and said winning such a big prize came as a big surprise.
"It was, I don't know, overwhelming," Joe said.
The Hot Lotto jackpot is a little different from most other US lottery prizes because the game organizers pay the state and federal taxes instead of the winners; so the Meaths will be able to walk away with their entire $11,710,000 intact. They may not escape all tax liabilities though.
Minnesota State Lotto Executive Director Ed Van Patten said: "That's the mandatory minimum withholding; so they could still have some tax liability beyond that—you know—when they file their taxes."
When asked how they intended to use the money the Meaths said they had not made any major plans, but admitted a couple of ideas came to mind.
"She's getting a new vehicle that's about it," Joe said.
"He's thinking about a motor home, so then if we go south I can still show the dogs," Rhonda added.
