New Jersey teachers claim $49.5 million lottery prize

Source: Associated Press

A group of teachers and secretaries from Morris Knolls High School in New Jersey -- calling themselves the "Lucky 12" turned in a winning lottery ticket for some $45 million in Mega Millions money, lottery officials said today.

The group won half of the $163 million jackpot from the Dec. 18th Mega Millions drawing. They bought the ticket at a Wharton convenience store and chose the cash option, which means they will receive about $49.5 million before 25 percent is taken in federal taxes.