California bank employees win record $543M jackpot after buying mega millions ticket on a whim

Updated

A group of bank employees in California became instant millionaires thanks to lottery tickets they purchased on a whim.

The 11 workers at a San Jose Wells Fargo split the largest single jackpot in California lottery history when they recently claimed the incredible $543 million prize.

Before taxes, that's a not-too-shabby $29,140,281 a piece.

“It was spur of the moment," winner Roland Reyes, who claimed the prize for the group, said in a statement. “If I could win, anybody could win. We’re just normal people!”

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Reyes said the group, whose members range in age from 21 to 60, doesn't normally do an office pool but decided to for the July 24 draw after hearing about the record jackpot.

Now, they've won it all. So what will they do with all that scratch?

There were mentions of paying off mortgages, kids’ college tuition, helping family members, going back to school and, of course, travel.

“It helps real people and families,” Reyes said.

For now, at least, the group says they'll plan on continuing the work they do together at the bank.

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