By Herald Palladium STAFF
LANSING -- The mystery man who won $47 million in the Mega Millions July 23 is a mystery no more.
Larry Campbell, 63, of Pullman, has claimed his winnings. He took a one-time, lump-sum payment of $19,128,233, rather than have the $47 million paid out over 20 years, Michigan Lottery officials said.
Campbell claimed his prize on Friday. Lottery officials said Campbell and his wife plan to buy a new house with their winnings and "do some serious relaxing." Campbell is retired from the Dr. Pepper-7-up Bottling Division in Holland.
The winning ticket was sold at Al's Total Services, on 109th Avenue in Pullman, on the evening of the drawing. The winning numbers were 5, 12, 25, 35, 37 and 12.
Campbell chooses his own numbers when playing the lottery, and the winning Gold Mega Ball number, 12, is the date of his daughter's birthday.
When he was interviewed in late July, the owner of the gas station/convenience store, Al Baugus, said he knew the identity of the winner but out of respect for the man wouldn't divulge it. "He's a nice guy. He deserves it," Baugus told a reporter.
Baugus said then that talk of the huge prize had excited the area.
Mega Millions is a multistate lottery game in 10 states.