CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Eight co-workers at the Monongalia County Sheriff's Department Tax Office came forward on Tuesday to claim a $276 million Powerball jackpot -- and maybe buy some shoes.
Video From the News Conference "I have the best workers in the world in my tax office -- and I told them that before they won the Powerball," said chief tax deputy Linda Fominko, the group's designated spokesperson. "They're truly good friends, and we're happy for each other. I'm glad it was a group that won."
Fominko, Crystal Magro, Allecia Priore, Andrea Grey, Amanda Pugh, Judith Gapen, Paula Pride and Jessica Dotson went in on the purchase together before Saturday night's drawing.
After taxes, the eight women will get a lump-sum payout of about $95.5 million -- nearly $12 million each.
"I had a copy of the ticket at home, and I checked it probably about 10 times at least, and I called each girl and had them check it," said Fominko. "It's hard to believe."
The winners stood together and held a ceremonial check made out to "The Lucky Eight" during a news conference at West Virginia Lottery headquarters in Charleston.
Though it takes at least two weeks for the big money to be doled out, state lottery Director John Musgrave said arrangements were made for each woman to go home with an immediate payment of $1 million -- "to go shopping for shoes or something, like the first lady said."
"We are truly very good friends," said Fominko. "And we are happy for each other. And I'm very happy that it was a group that won, that we didn't individually win. We're ordinary people, just like everybody else in West Virginia. We've dreamt of winning the Powerball, and you dream of what you want to do for your family and friends."
Powerball officials said the winning ticket was sold at Paula's Great Food and Fun, a video poker bar in Westover, across the river from Morgantown.
"We're just excited for them, and feel great to be the store that sold them the ticket," said manager Maria Skidmore.
Paula's will receive a $100,000 bonus for selling the ticket.
All of the women showed up for work on Monday -- although Magro's husband resigned from his job as a sheriff's deputy.
Residents in the area said it's exciting to know someone living so close hit the jackpot, which goes down as the seventh-largest win in Powerball history.
"I hope I have the same chance," said Alvin King of Morgantown. "Maybe lightning will hit in the same place."
There are 11 employees at the Monongalia County Sheriff's Department Tax Office. Three decided not to pitch in for the ticket.
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