Meet the richest witch of the East. Ellwood “Bunky” Bartlett, 40, of Dundalk, a self-described Wiccan, rode in on a spanking new Ford Explorer to claim his $82.5 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot Wednesday at the new-age gift shop where he teaches.
“The universe was waving its magic, and I happened to be the blessed recipient of it,” he said.
Because Bartlett opted for a one-time cash payout, he will receive more than $32.6 million after taxes.
And, as luck might have it, Bartlett won another $25 on a scratch-off ticket Tuesday.
The accountant said he?s going to use his jackpot to start a string of new businesses in Maryland and take the honeymoon he and his wife have never had. And, after all is said and done, although he?ll buy a new house, Maryland will always be home.
“I won?t be moving or giving any of my money away, but I will be creating opportunities for others to have jobs,” said Bartlett, flashing a wide grin during a news conference Wednesday to formally verify his winnings.
He said he will also continue teaching Reiki ? a form of Japanese energy healing ? and use his winnings to help close friends Lori and Mick Perdue expand Mystickal Voyage, their new-age gift and coffee shop.
Bartlett, a father of two grown children, admitted he didn?t play the lottery often.
However, it was his wife, who lottery officials say is shy about all the media blitz and wants to remain unnamed, who purchased $10 of Mega Millions tickets for him Aug. 31 by way of computer Quik Pik at Walther Liquors in Nottingham. The next day, his wife asked him whether he had checked his tickets because four winners had been declared to split the $330 million prize, he said.
“She called out the winning numbers and asked me to check the tickets,” Bartlett said.
“On the first number I said, ?OK,? the second and third, I said ?oh-oh.? Then the fourth and fifth ? and at that point I said, ?I think we?ve paid our mortgage.? On the sixth number, I screamed,” Bartlett said.
Maryland Lottery Director Buddy Roogow described Bartlett as “the most grounded” of the agency?s multimillion-dollar winners.
Walther Liquors owners Christina and John Ebmeier will receive $25,000 for selling a winning ticket.
Bartlett?s ticket was one of four verified winners in the big drawing. Each won $82.5 million.
The other winning tickets were purchased in New Jersey, Virginia and Texas.
While lottery officials say there?s been some speculation about who won in New Jersey, none of the other winners has come forward.
The $330 million jackpot is the second largest in Mega Millions history.
The last Mega Millions jackpot winner in Maryland was a couple from Prince George?s County who won $49 million in July 2006, according to the Maryland Lottery.
