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!
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Comments: (16)
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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.
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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 ;}
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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!
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By: DEBRA on 10/06/2010 7:38PM
YOUNG LADY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN. BEAUTY FOR ASHES!
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By: westfall on 10/06/2010 8:11PM
This is so great! I just wish it was me. Live your life and be blessed!
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By: cg on 10/06/2010 10:59PM
Not smart to go back to work at a prison....
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By: Sunni on 10/06/2010 11:55PM
hmmmmmmmmmmm, I agree!
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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!
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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."
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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.
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