Photo courtesy Mega Millions — Retired Riverside County man, Rick Knudsen and his wife, Lorie, claimed a $180 million lottery jackpot September 2, 2014
Riverside County retiree Rick Knudsen knows the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are long so “…I don’t play unless I feel lucky, and the jackpot is high. I felt lucky,” is how he described that gut feeling last month. Knudsen bought five Mega Millions quick picks at a 7-Eleven in Calimesa for the August 22 draw. One of those lottery tickets hit the big one, a jackpot for $180 million! The lucky numbers: 5, 31, 34, 41, 74 and the Mega Ball 3.
Knudsen and his wife, Lorie, stepped forward with the winning ticket last Tuesday, according to the Mega Millions website. The 53-year-old father of five children and three grandchildren is taking the cash option, which equals $107 millions, before the IRS takes its cut. What is he going to do with his new fortune? Knudsen plans to”enjoy life,” upgrade to a new house, help his church, and family.
