A Northern Californian man has finally come forward to receive one of the largest Powerball jackpots in history, but he seems to prefer remaining anonymous to the world, the Associated Press reported.
Having waited more than a month to collect an oversize check of $425 million, B. Raymond Buxton accepted his reward on Tuesday at the California Lottery headquarters in Sacramento.
Sporting a Star Wars t-shirt that read, "Luck of the Jedi I have," Buxton was pictured covering his face with the check.
"He really wants to live a private life as best he can," Buxton's publicist Sam Singer told The Associated Press. "He was a solidly middle-class American, and today he is a solidly wealthy one."
Claiming his desire to stay away from the limelight and media, Buxton refused to reveal his age, address or what he did for a living until his very recent retirement, Singer said.
Buxton's decision to come forward on April Fool's Day to receive the check is his 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."
Working since February with an attorney and financial adviser, Buxton has established new bank accounts, set up a charity and sorted out tax issues, according to the AP.
"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.
Having bought the winning ticket at the Dixon Landing Chevron station in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Milpitas, about 10 miles north of San Jose on Feb. 19, Buxton couldn't believe it when he won.
"Sitting on a ticket of this value was very scary," he said. "Once the initial shock passed, I couldn't sleep for days," Buxton said in the statement on Tuesday.
"It's amazing how a little slip of paper can change your life," said Buxton, who estimates he has been playing the lottery for 20 years.
