Winner of $425 million lottery wants privacy
3 April 2014 11:16 PM GMT
The winner of one of the largest Powerball jackpots in history has finally come forward — but he still hasn’t quite revealed his identity. B. Raymond Buxton, a Northern California man, waited more than a month to accept his prize on Tuesday at the California Lottery headquarters in Sacramento.
In a photo taken after he claimed the money on Tuesday, Buxton was covering his face with an oversize check for $425 million. Perhaps the only clue to his identity was his unusual shirt, which featured a picture of the Star Wars character Yoda and read, ‘Luck of the Jedi I have.’ ‘He really wants to live a private life as best he can,’ Buxton’s publicist Sam Singer said. ‘He was a solidly middle-class American, and today he is a solidly wealthy one.’
Buxton is hoping to remain out of the limelight and doesn’t want to speak directly to the media, Singer said. He also won’t reveal his age, address or what he did for a living until his very recent retirement. One reason that Buxton waited to come forward on 1 April, April Fool’s Day, is simply that he has a healthy sense of humor, Singer said. ‘He still can’t believe it’s not a prank on him. But the reality is Ray Buxton is the winner.’
Another reason is that Buxton has been working since February with an attorney and financial adviser to establish new bank accounts, set up a charity and sort out tax issues. ‘I’m going to enjoy my new job setting up a charitable foundation focused on the areas of pediatric health, child hunger and education,’ Buxton said Tuesday in a prepared statement.
In a photo taken after he claimed the money on Tuesday, Buxton was covering his face with an oversize check for $425 million. Perhaps the only clue to his identity was his unusual shirt, which featured a picture of the Star Wars character Yoda and read, ‘Luck of the Jedi I have.’ ‘He really wants to live a private life as best he can,’ Buxton’s publicist Sam Singer said. ‘He was a solidly middle-class American, and today he is a solidly wealthy one.’
Buxton is hoping to remain out of the limelight and doesn’t want to speak directly to the media, Singer said. He also won’t reveal his age, address or what he did for a living until his very recent retirement. One reason that Buxton waited to come forward on 1 April, April Fool’s Day, is simply that he has a healthy sense of humor, Singer said. ‘He still can’t believe it’s not a prank on him. But the reality is Ray Buxton is the winner.’
Another reason is that Buxton has been working since February with an attorney and financial adviser to establish new bank accounts, set up a charity and sort out tax issues. ‘I’m going to enjoy my new job setting up a charitable foundation focused on the areas of pediatric health, child hunger and education,’ Buxton said Tuesday in a prepared statement.
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