Walmart employee called in to work on day off leaves a millionaire
LOS ANGELES - A woman who picked up a last-minute shift at work left $1 million richer after purchasing a very lucky California Lottery Scratcher ticket.
Rebeca Gonzalez got a last-minute call to work on her day off at a Los Angeles County Walmart - and although she wanted to be home with her family since it was Labor Day, she decided to take the three-hour shift.
"I wanted to obviously be home with my family because we planned to barbecue," Gonzalez told the California Lottery.
But her decision led her to $1 million after she won the $1 million top prize on a $10 Single Double Triple Scratchers game from a California Lottery vending machine inside the Walmart in Industry where she works.
"I’d planned on buying one on my break, but it was so busy I totally forgot. I didn’t remember I was going to buy a Scratchers until I left for the night and passed by the machines," Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said she and her husband are spending the earnings on a new home and paying off debt, and while she's a millionaire, she still plans on working at Walmart.
"I’ve only told one person at work, and it was the manager who wanted me to stay late on a Holiday," Gonzalez said. "He couldn’t believe it."
The Walmart in Industry also received a $5,000 bonus for selling the lucky ticket.
Three other lucky people became millionaires with some lucky $1 million Ultimate Cash Scratchers tickets.
Wayne Sims bought his at Pearl Market on Divisadero Street in San Francisco, and Alex Vela scored big with a ticket from Circus Liquors in North Hollywood. Robert Befriends raked in $1 million with a ticket from Palma Liquor in La Palma.
Rounding out the latest batch of new millionaires is R. Abrahamian, who won the top $1 million prize on a Multiplier Craze Scratchers ticket from a 7-Eleven on Burbank Blvd. in Burbank.
Congrats to all the lucky winners!
The Source: This story was reported with information from the California Lottery.