Lottery officials introduced the group of 16 Ocean County workers that won last Wednesday’s Powerball and one of them has a significant connection to the New Jersey Lottery.
Winner Barbara Jo Rivald is the daughter of John Brown, a former New Jersey state senator and the man who wrote the lottery law in New Jersey.
"I wish he was here to share in the moment," said Rivald.
The announcement was made during a press conference in Toms River Tuesday when Lottery spokeswoman and life-long Toms River resident Judith Drucker introduced the "Ocean's 16," employees of the Vehicle Services Department and newly-minted millionaires.
The group, which consists of seven men and nine women, will each receive a payout of about $3.8 million, Drucker announced.
"I'm still in shock," winner Darlene Riccio said.
Riccio says she plans on buying a house with a portion of her winnings. The home she shared with her daughter was ruined during October's Superstorm Sandy.
Fellow winner, Sue Nickel, another victim of Sandy, also plans on using some of her money to rebuild after Sandy.
"We had 7 feet of water, but we are very lucky. Some of the money will be used to help with that," Nickel told NBC10.
Drucker announced that four of the other winners were also affected by the storm.
She went on to explain that not only is New Jersey's motto "Jersey Strong," -- a motto that references the state's comeback following Sandy -- it's also now "Jersey Lucky," because, according to Drucker, this is the sixth time since January that someone in New Jersey has won a multi-state lottery.
All of the winners, except for maybe Willie Sanchez, says they will stay at their jobs.
"Maybe I'll be at my log cabin on multiple acres of land," Sanchez jokes.
The winning ticket was sold at a Little Egg Harbor Township Acme.
A suburban Minneapolis man, Paul White, claimed one of the Powerball prizes last week.
The holder of the third winning ticket, also sold in New Jersey, has not yet come forward.
