Mega Millions jackpot winner in San Jose remains a mystery

As the holder of one of the winning tickets for the $648-million Mega Millions jackpot claimed her prize, the wait for whoever bought the other winning ticket in San Jose continued Thursday.

In the absence of anyone coming forward, local media focused much of their attention on the owner of the store who sold the winning ticket, Thuy Nguyen, who took over Jenny’s Gift Shop just four months ago.

Nguyen was met by a throng of cameras and reporters who wanted to know what he’d do with his $1-million retailer bonus and who he thought the ticket-purchaser might be.

His is a small shop patronized by regulars, many of whom come in multiple times a day to re-up on their lottery chances, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

One of those familiar faces, Antony Nguyen, who owns a nearby shop, told the Mercury News that some were using the process of elimination to try and figure it out.

“We were saying, whoever doesn’t show up today, that’s who won,” he said.

California Lottery spokesman Alex Traverso told The Times that jackpot winners should always try to come in as soon as possible to get the claim process started -- after they sign the back of the ticket.

“Odds are it’s going to be eight weeks until you see your first check,” he said.

And try as some winners might to keep their identities hidden, according to regulations, their names are ultimately public information.

“No one can really remain anonymous,” Traverso said.

Mega Millions jackpot winner Ira Curry of Stone Mountain, Ga., came forward soon after learning that her winning combination of family birth dates and the number 7 for her last-minute ticket purchase had been called out.

Curry, who did not attend an Atlanta news conference, opted for the lump sum cash payout, which, after state and federal taxes will total about $120 million, said Debbie Alford, president and chief executive of the Georgia Lottery.

The lump sum cash payout for the San Jose winner would be roughly $173 million before taxes.

Regardless of when the ticket-holder comes forward to claim their share of the jackpot, Thuy Nguyen will get his million-dollar bonus, most likely in January, the Mercury News reported.

As for what he plans to do with the money, the 37-year-old told reporters he intends to buy a house for his wife and children.

He told television reporters amassed outside his store that he viewed the windfall in a more philosophical light, rather than a mere brush with luck.

“If I’m doing good, then good come,” Thuy Nguyen said. “So, I’m happy with my life.”

[For the Record, 3:41 p.m. PST, Dec. 19: A previous version of this post stated incorrectly that the lump sum payout would be roughly $173 million after taxes. That would be the payout before taxes.]

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