Top Prize Drawing Winner
Richard Jesionowski,
Cleveland

Cleveland... Richard Jesionowski showed up in the lobby of the Ohio Lottery on December 12, 2007, carrying $30 in a money clip and a couple of quarters for his parking meter. He left carrying an oversized check for $2 million and a considerably light heart.

Jesionowski, of Cleveland, had been told he needed to come to the Lottery to sign a paper concerning a Top Prize Drawing (TPD) for the $2 million prize. Lottery Director Michael Dolan was in on the ruse and pretended to be holding a press conference about TPD. Citing the convenience of having a TPD “finalist” in the lobby, Dolan asked Jesionowski to join him on the stage to help explain how the game works.

Jesionowski complied, and Dolan brought out an honorary big check to surprise the 50-year-old with the top prize in the $20 Bonus Millions game. Jesionowski can choose a $1 million cash option or a 20-year annuity of $100,000; he has 60 days to decide.

Jesionowski purchased his Bonus Millions ticket in June 2006, at which time he won an instant $2,500. When he made that claim, he was entered into the TPD drawing for the $2 million prize. The drawing was held on December 3, 2007.

Read the Press Release