As YWN had reported in January, an employee of Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz was not one of the winners of the $1.6 billion Powerball.

Rechnitz had made a Kiddush Hashem and a wonderful gesture and purchased 25,000 powerball tickets for his employees. Rumors flew that an employee had been one of the winners.

The YWN report that it was not an employee has been confirmed just a few moments ago, when the AP reported that the California couple has claimed a $528.8 million share of a record Powerball jackpot in January, state lottery officials said Tuesday.

Flanked by security, Marvin and Mae Acosta went to a state lottery office in Van Nuys on Friday to claim their winnings from the record $1.6 billion Powerball drawing, said Alex Traverso, a spokesman for the California Lottery.

An attorney previously reached out to officials to prepare for the couple to come forward, he said.

The Acostas bought their ticket six months ago at a 7-Eleven in Chino Hills, California.

It was one of three winning tickets sold for the Jan. 13 drawing, Winners in Florida and Tennessee came forward within days to claim their prize money.

No additional details were released about the California couple, who requested privacy. In a statement, the Acostas said they are dedicating nearly all of the prize money to a trust and charities.

“We are thankful and blessed for the rare gift that has been placed in our care,” the statement said.

The couple will take their winnings in a cash option, totaling $327.8 million before federal taxes, lottery officials said.

(Charles Gross – YWN)