Will the Real Winner Please Stand Up: Powerball Mystery Grows

Updated at 2:35 p.m.

And yet another plot twist in in "As the Lottery Ticket Turns."

According to an NBC Connecticut story, the trust created by the three Greenwich asset managers, can legally stake claim on the prize.

The local television channel's news division reports the Connecticut Lottery Commission released a statement a short time ago on the issue of trusts claiming lottery prizes:

“The CT Lottery processed the November 2, 2011 Powerball jackpot claim in accordance with applicable rules and integrity standards,” the statement said. “It is not uncommon for Powerball winners to be identified as individuals, trusts, partnerships or other legal entities.”

This may make the whole issue of who is the real winner a moot point. I guess we'll see... and the question still remains: who is the REAL winner?

Updated at 2 p.m. on Tuesday

It now appears that some serious questions are being raised regarding the three Greenwich asset managers who stepped forward to claim the largest CT Lottery prize in the state's history.

The men claimed the prize yesterday at the lottery's through the Putnam Avenue Family Trust.

Now, however, press reports have begun to circulate alleging that the three bankers — Tim Davidson, Brandon Lacoff and Greg Skidmore — are not the real winners. But instead a front group who was organized to collect the fortune for a mysterious client who was the individual that actually purchased and held the historic winning lottery ticket.

In addition, some are saying that the move could cost the group, and therefore the supposed real winner, the fortune.

Stay tuned: it appears that this is Powerball saga has a few more twists and turns up its sleeve.

Updated on Monday

After more than three weeks of anticipation, the Powerball jackpot that was hit on Nov. 2,  was finally claimed by The Putnam Avenue Family Trust yesterday morning at the CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill.

“For years, we’ve heard the Lottery’s message that you can’t win if you don’t play, and that’s never been truer than it is at this moment,” said Frank Farricker, Chairman of the CT Lottery.  “This is a proud moment for us, and for the state of Connecticut.  We are so thrilled to be able to award this jackpot prize today, which is not only the 12th largest Powerball jackpot in history, but also the largest jackpot prize ever won in the state.”

The winning numbers for the November 2, 2011 drawing were 12 – 14 – 34 – 39 – 46  Powerball – 36 Power Play – 4. 

The Putnam Avenue Family Trust opted for the one-time cash lump sum payout of $103,586,824.51.  Federal income tax was $37,916,114; state income tax was $10,161,519.

Shippan Point Getty on Magee Avenue in Stamford sold the winning “Quick Pick.” For selling the winning ticket, Shippan Point Getty owners, Michael Lindquist and Carol Angotta, received a retailer bonus of $100,000. 

“The bonus comes at a real great time of the year,” Lindquist told Lottery officials.  “It will help take the edge off putting the kids through college.”

Another important benefactor is the state of the Connecticut, lottery officials said.

“In fiscal year 2011, lottery sales generated a record $289.3 million for the General Fund,” said Anne M. Noble, president and CEO of the CT Lottery.  “Today, we celebrate this win and the good that the lottery does for the state, our players and our retailers.

Nationwide, 2,277,427 winning tickets were purchased for the Nov. 2 Powerball drawing. Of the 28,690 of those tickets sold in Connecticut, one ticket matched all six numbers correctly, resulting in the $254.2 million windfall.

Overall odds of winning Powerball prize are 1 in 35.1. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot prize are 1 in 195,249,054.

Updated at 4:30pm on Nov. 9

[Editor's note: Thank you East Haven Patch reader Anissa Temple Parente-Smith for giving us the heads up on our Facebook page about the latest news on the winning ticket. Thanks, Anissa!]

Apparently, the winning ticket has been located — or has it.

A Stamford store owner claimed the man told him he had purchased the winning ticket at the local shop but then lost it, according to an ABC News report.

The man himself, however, has yet be identified or to come forward.

And so the question still remains: who has the winning ticket?

—Julie Weisberg

Original CT Lottery Press Release

Is it you? The search is still on for the for the Nov. 2 drawing — the largest prize ever won in CT Lottery history. 

Lottery officials confirm that the winning ticket was sold in Fairfield County.  Further details will not be available until the winner comes forward to make the unprecedented claim.

The winning numbers on Nov. 2 were 12-14-34-39-46 and a Powerball of 36. The Power Play multiplier number is 4. 

The CT Lottery encourages everyone to check their tickets carefully and to sign the back of their tickets to establish ownership. Players have 180 days from the date of drawing to claim a winning ticket. Winning tickets for the November 2 Powerball drawing expire on April 30, 2012.

The retailer in good standing who sold the Powerball jackpot winning ticket will receive a cool $100,000 bonus from the CT Lottery.

Overall odds of winning a Powerball prize are 1 in 35.1. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot prize are 1 in 195,249,054. 

For information about the CT Lottery, call (860) 713-2700, or visit the CT Lottery web site at ctlottery.org.