January 12, 2011 in News

North Idaho woman identified as second jackpot winner

Betsy Z. Russell The Spokesman-Review

Betsy Russell photo

Idaho Lottery Director Jeff Anderson announces the Mega Millions winner from North Idaho. At left is a check for $50,000 to the Post Falls convenience store where the ticket was sold; at right is a mockup of a check to winner Holly Lahti for $190 million.
(Full-size photo)

The winner of the $190 million Mega Millions Lottery from Idaho - half the full $380 million jackpot - is Holly Lahti of North Idaho, state Lottery Director Jeff Anderson just announced.

He called Lahti “a delightful individual,” but said she’s asked for privacy, and the lottery isn’t releasing any information about her other than that she’s from North Idaho. The woman turned her winning ticket over to the lottery office in Boise yesterday, at the end of the day, and the lottery has confirmed that it is the winner. It hasn’t yet paid, her, however, Anderson said. She has 60 days to decide whether she wants to take the 26 payments over 25 years, or the smaller lump sum of $120 million, which would equal $81 million after state and federal income taxes.

“She’s given us an indication that she’s willing to talk to the media when she’s got her affairs in order,” Anderson said. “As you might expect, there’s a lot of things that Ms. Lahti has to get in order.” He said, “We thank everyone who plays our fun and entertaining games.” He said Lahti is an Idaho native, but declined to provide any more information about her. “She’s asked that we respect her privacy, so no, I can’t,” Anderson said. “There’s lots of curious people who want to know the winner is. This is a big deal.” Her name was being provided because it is a matter of public record, he said.

If Lahti takes the lump sum payment, the state of Idaho would receive $9.36 million in state income taxes.

The winning ticket was sold at Ady’s Convenience & Car Wash on Seltice Way in Post Falls. The convenience store will receive $50,000.

Lahti let the computer pick the numbers for her, a ticket known as a “quick pick.”

Once people hear this, Ady’s is going to become the luckiest place in northern Idaho,” Anderson said.

Lahti is splitting the $380 million jackpot with an Ephrata couple, which picked the other winning ticket and who came forward last week.

Katie Stillinger said she worked with with Lahti at Inland Northwest Bank in Post Falls for several years and said Lahti “really deserves” the money she’s won.

“She’s a very, very sweet girl. She has a wonderful personality,” said Stillinger, who was a branch manager while Lahti was a teller in new accounts. She said Lahti is a single mother of two young children. “She’s had a hard time raising them by herself and she will do wonderful things with (her winnings).”

“She’s very bubbly and always laughing,” Stillinger said of Lahti. “She’s always the one that makes everyone smile.”

10 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

monkeyman on January 12 at 1:52 p.m.
Oh Holly! I have been looking all over for your all my life :)
straighttalk on January 12 at 3:00 p.m.
she’s 29 and from Rathdrum.
oneanddone on January 12 at 3:14 p.m.
And wants nothing to do with chumps who hang around blogs and post their meaningless drivel - whoops, guess I’m out too.
jamieclark09 on January 12 at 4:54 p.m.
I think it is awesome that she won. She sounds very deserving of it and can better provide for her children. WAY TO GO HOLLY!!!!
misjustice on January 12 at 5:03 p.m.
Congratulations, young lady!
; )
My advice? Get a great tax accountant and estate planer to help you…
greyhound2 on January 12 at 6:05 p.m.
Hooray. One in 300 million who actually made it.
RK on January 12 at 6:41 p.m.
Finally somebody under 60 wins…
maria on January 12 at 8:50 p.m.
Mom?
SnerfDerf on January 16 at 8:49 p.m.
Tough call on whether a lump sum is the way to go. a 120 MM NPV on a 190 MM Payout assumes an OCC of about 4.1%. Could Lahti earn that kind of return in the stock market? Maybe, maybe not. Would she earn that in cash investments like CDs? No way. Also there is inflation to consider. A 7.3 MM payday every year might sound great, but will the value of 7.3 buy as much as one would hope in the year 2033? Given her age and the tendency for millionaires to blow through their winnings I would go for the annuity. Treat every year payment as a firewall in case youthful enthusiasm burns through a given year’s payout.
Don’t trust a Financial Advisor on this, all he is going to see is $$$$$. Every FA you ask will say “Of course! take the lump sum! And invest it with me! While I take 2.49% of your money each year!” Any FA that will not charge you a flat $500 per year for their services will be untrustworthy. If you do get an FA, find one that is flat fee based regardless of the amount of money you invest with them.
BigE on January 18 at 2:21 a.m.
People sit back and wish they could be so lucky, money is the root of all evil. Why do all of you think money will make this girls life better, she will never dig her way out of north Idaho, money does not fix stupidity.