Powerball winner quits job, hires advisers

Sunday, February 18, 2007 posted 09:39 AM EST

A prison guard stepped forward briefly Friday to claim her $74.5 million Powerball jackpot before dashing off in a stretch SUV limousine.

Jackie Alston, 38, had quietly celebrated her win since the Nov. 29 drawing. She quit her job at a prison in neighboring Virginia and hired financial advisers.

"I've just been living normal," she said. "People have been noticing me, but they don't really know, you know, so it's just been fun."

Alston decided to take her prize in a lump sum - about $36 million, before taxes. The single mom wouldn't say where she was headed or how she would spend the money.

Alston's ticket matched all five numbers - 2, 8, 9, 12 and 19 - and the Powerball, 25. She said the numbers represented the ages of children in her family.

About 30 states participate in Powerball, which was launched in North Carolina on May 30. Alston is the first jackpot winner in the state.

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