Community Corner

Woodland Hills $23 Million Lotto Winner Finally Comes Forward

One lottery winner was in no hurry to claim his winnings.

Garshasb Bigvand finally stepped up this week and claimed his $23 million jackpot after winning the  SuperLotto Plus drawing on Oct. 30.
Garshasb Bigvand finally stepped up this week and claimed his $23 million jackpot after winning the SuperLotto Plus drawing on Oct. 30. (California Lottery)

WOODLAND HILLS, CA — Woodland Hills officially has a new multi-millionaire. Garshasb Bigvand finally stepped up this week and claimed his $23 million jackpot after winning the SuperLotto Plus drawing on Oct. 30.

Bigvand bought his winning ticket at the NJ Smoke Shop located at 21773 Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills. He waited a few weeks to claim his winnings, but by collecting his prize within 180 days of the drawing, he avoided the fate of a neighboring lottery winner, who lost out on a $63 million jackpot. That winning ticket sold in 2015 in Chatsworth was never turned in, and the jackpot became the largest jackpot to go unclaimed in state history. Though a long legal battle with a man who claimed to be the winner ensued, all he ever got to show for his claim were some steep attorney's fees.


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Bigvand is much luckier. He bought the only ticket to match all six numbers (36-40-27-35-34 and Mega number 13), so he doesn’t have to share the jackpot with anyone but Uncle Sam.

According to the California Lottery, “Bigvand had three plays for the draw, all Quick Picks®, one of which scored the massive win. He may elect to receive his prize in 30 graduated annual installments or choose to receive the lump-sum cash amount of an estimated $15.9 million (before federal taxes).”

According to lottery officials, NJ Smoke Shop will also collect a retailer bonus of $115,000 just for selling the winning ticket.


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