Posted on Thu, May. 08, 2008

La. man claims $97 million Powerball prize

The Associated Press

BATON ROUGE, La. --

A Louisiana man who runs his own construction company claimed a $97 million Powerball prize, becoming the largest winner in Louisiana Lottery history.

Carl Hunter of Metairie won the jackpot in January, but the 73-year-old small businessman waited nearly four months to claim the prize Thursday. He said he wanted to wrap up some of his construction work before he and his wife, Dianne, turned in the winning ticket.

Hunter took a lump sum payment that will give him $33.9 million after taxes, according to lottery officials.

Hunter and his wife say they don't have specific plans for the money - besides retirement.