U.S. Navy Veteran Claims His Half of $1.1 Million Lotto Jackpot

Retired U.S. Navy veteran Richard Works thinks he finally might get his girlfriend to say "yes" to marriage. The French Settlement resident claimed $559,182.37, his half of the $1.1 million Louisiana Lotto jackpot from the July 27 drawing, at Lottery headquarters.

Works said he'd asked his girlfriend on two occasions to marry him, and now the third time may be the charm. "I think I may get lucky this time," Works joked. Besides getting married, Works said he would like to pay off a few bills and relax.

Works became the eighth Louisiana Lotto jackpot winner of 2005. He received $391,427.66 after federal and state income taxes were withheld. A second jackpot winning ticket was sold in Sulphur.

Murf's Superette on Highway 16 in French Settlement, where Works bought his winning ticket, will receive a one-time bonus of $5,591, or 1 percent of the prize.

The winning numbers for the July 27 drawing were 4-7-14-16-29-32.

The Lottery encourages anyone who thinks they may have a gambling problem or has friends or family who may have a gambling problem to call toll free 1-877-770-7867. Ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years of age.