By Ruth Manuel-Logan on Oct 6th 2010 12:05PM
A mistake by
Garina Fearon (pictured) was the best error she ever made.
The Brooklyn, N.Y., mom mistakenly asked for a
Mega Millions jackpot ticket rather than her customary
Powerball, but decided to keep the ticket anyway. Now, the 34-year-old is the sole winner of the $54 million jackpot.
The Rikers Island jail corrections officer did not even check the ticket she had purchased from a meat market until a coworker decided to take the lead last Monday and check her numbers in a newspaper. Fearon's ticket matched all six Mega Millions winning numbers. The lucky lottery numbers were 3, 4, 14, 18, 27; the Mega Ball was 13 and the Megaplier was 3. Fearon took the lump-sum payment of $22,723,873 after taxes.
The Jamaica, W.I., native who moved to New York City more than 20 years ago, says she had a had a rough life growing up. She has been no stranger to hunger, homelessness and bankruptcy.
A mother of two teens, Fearon, who once had feces thrown in her face from an out-of-control inmate, plans to improve not only her life but her family's as well. Fearon wants to care for her mom, family, friends and buy a better house. She currently owns a Toyota, but jokingly said that she would like to upgrade to a BMW 5-Series.
Although Fearon struck it rich, she has only taken a leave of absence from her job until she decides what she plans to do next. According to Fearon, her career improved her quality of her life and rescued her from financial ruin:
"I don't have the heart to say I'm leaving now."
We wish you well, Garina!
http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=868400&pid=868399&uts=1286374218
http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf
Your Hottest News Stories
Johnny Nunez, WireImage
Getty Images North America
Your Hottest News Stories
29-Sep-10 - Jamal Parris, one of the accusers, told Fox 5 Atlanta what happened between him and Bishop Eddie Long.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
28-Sep-10 - Trying to get various black public figures to speak out for or against Bishop Eddie Long has been harder than getting 4-year-olds to go to the dentist. No one is talking, but everyone is paying attention.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
27-Sep-10 - Jessica Moore, 19, was hanging out at an off-campus frat party Saturday, when a man who was angry about not getting in to the party, came back with a gun and started shooting. Moore was shot in the head.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
25-Sep-10 - According to a recent Aol. Black Voices poll, only 49 percent of respondents believe that Bishop Eddie Long is gay.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
23-Sep-10 - Bishop Eddie Long allegedly sent these questionable pictures to his "spiritual sons."
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
23-Sep-10 - Some really "interesting" pictures of Bishop Eddie Long, which were allegedly sent by Long to one of his "spiritual sons," were made public last week.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
22-Sep-10 - According to federal authorities, Jesse Jackson Jr. not only tried to buy President Barack Obama's former Senate seat from Rod Blagojevich, but he also had a fundraiser pay for two airline trips for a blond mistress.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
22-Sep-10 - Firefighters were not able to save Jamaya Herron, because she weighed more than 500 pounds.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
17-Sep-10 - James Jones was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and disturbing a school function for protecting his disabled young daughter from heartless bullies.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
16-Sep-10 - Vancouver police confirmed that Bethany Storro lied about a black woman throwing acid on her face. Storro actually threw the acid on herself.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
Comments: (16)
Add a comment
By: clarke on 10/06/2010 12:26PM
GOD DONE BLESSED YOU GIRL. NOW PAY YO TITHES AND STAY THAT WAY. REMEMBER WHAT THE OJAYS SAID. DON'T LET MONEY FOOL YA. STAY BLESSED. PEACE.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: poetrysez on 10/06/2010 1:22PM
Now-this is great news :} Start to surround yourself with people who knows how to make their money make money for them ! Get Oprah's accountant ;}
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: DEBRA on 10/06/2010 7:30PM
God works in mysterious ways! now this is just so supernatural of a blessing, to walk in A store to buy a few items and a ticket and walk out on top of gods wealthy vineyard. NOW THAT WAS NO STRESS AND STRAIN, I KID YOU NOT I LIKE THE EXCELLENT COMMENT ABOUT MALCHAI 3 VS 10 TITHING AMEN TO THE BELIEVER. PLEASE I AM ASKING THAT YOU DO NOT POUR ALL YOUR WEALTH INTO EVERYONE ELSE'S BASKET. YOU CAN DEFINATELY LIVE OFF THE INTEREST ALONE!!!BY ALL MEANS DO NOT FORGET ABOUT GOD, THAT SET YOU UP FOR THE PERFECT TIMING AND PLACE, AND YOUR FRIEND THAT CHECKED THE TICKET OUT FOR YOU! OKAY! YOU DO NOT OWE ANYONE BUT TO LOVE THEM! ASK GOD FIRST WHAT IS HIS DEVINE WILL, AND THEN FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN. IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU PUT HIM FIRST, AND PUT THE MONEY IN A TRUST! YOUNG LADY I PRAY ALL THE BLESSINGS GOD HAS GIVEN YOU,THAT YOU WILL JUST GIVE HIM HONOR AND PRAISE! IT ALL HAPPEN FOR A REASON. NOW IT IS UP TO YOU TO BE WISE! GOD BLESSED your soul forever and a day, NOW DON'T FORGET TO THANK HIM WITH PRAISE IN YOUR HEART! WOW WHAT A DAY!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: DEBRA on 10/06/2010 7:38PM
YOUNG LADY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN. BEAUTY FOR ASHES!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: westfall on 10/06/2010 8:11PM
This is so great! I just wish it was me. Live your life and be blessed!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: cg on 10/06/2010 10:59PM
Not smart to go back to work at a prison....
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Sunni on 10/06/2010 11:55PM
hmmmmmmmmmmm, I agree!
Report This
By: jewishways on 10/07/2010 10:22AM
Girl you need to give up that job. There will be many who will try to scam you out of your money. Why put yourself among the most crafty of them--including the guards! That atmosphere breeds the worst in people and it is obvious that God pulled you out for a reason. If you tithe, first hire a P.I. to do a background search on the church. You have the resources to do this. Or start your own non-profit. Get some smart, humble people together and use your money to help the poor directly. Surround yourself with good people. God bless. I yearn for such a blessing because I already know what to do with it. PLEASE, PLEASE watch your back because honey they will be coming out the woodwork!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: spyder856 on 10/07/2010 1:21PM
"It's about time a black person won...it's alway a old white person that already has money that wins."
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: marlene on 10/07/2010 1:31PM
I am so happy for you girl, I have a bit of advice dont do too much talking about your plans, get your self a very good attorney and an accountant. Move out of your old neighborhood, and please dont go down to Jamaica WI. TO BUY ANY HOUSE FOR YOUR MOTHER, BUY HER A HOUSE IN FLORIDA WHERE ITS WARM, THERE ALL KINDS OF SHAKE DOWN PEOPLE IN Jamaica. Be very carefull. and again good luck. Spend wisely.Dont mean to diss My home town but it is what it is.
Reply to this Comment | Report This