Stamford Prize Winner Finally Shares $250,000 “Mega” SecretBernardo Santos, Jr. of Stamford knows how to keep a secret. Until today, Santos was the only person who knew who held the winning
Mega Millions® ticket worth $250,000 for the September 9, 2011 drawing—it was Santos, and he didn’t even tell his wife. “I wanted to be absolutely sure it was a winning ticket first,” a tearful Santos explained to Lottery officials. “From here, I am going straight home to tell her.”
Santos, a computer programmer who works in Stamford, was the single Mega Millions winning ticket holder in Connecticut for the September 9 drawing who matched the first 5 numbers drawn, 7 - 12 - 19 - 23 - 31, missing the Mega Ball number of 45. His “Quick Pick” match was worth an incredible $250,000. “I never expected it, but it’s here,” Santos said.
Santos’ prize check for $170,750 (value after taxes) comes at a most opportune time; one daughter has just finished college, and the other is just beginning. “It will definitely help make things easier,” Santos said.
For selling Santos his $250,000 prize winning ticket, Midtown News, located at 933 Summer Street in Stamford, will receive a $2,500 bonus from the CT Lottery.