Clerk Runs Off With Million Dollar Lotto Ticket

But Mirlande Wilson doesn't seem too concerned about finding it

(NEWSER) - You knew this was coming: Mirlande Wilson , who first claimed she won the Mega Millions lottery separately from her pool of co-workers, then said she hid the winning ticket at the McDonald's where they all work, now says she's lost the ticket. "I have no idea where it is. I’m not sure I have it," Wilson tells the New York Post . And, because a lost ticket that's potentially worth millions of dollars isn't all that big of a deal, she says she hasn't even looked in the pants of the uniform she was wearing when she purchased the ticket. More»

At which she tells press to 'go home'

(NEWSER) - Just when you thought the story of Mirlande Wilson , the Baltimore woman who may or may not have a winning Mega Millions ticket, couldn't get any more bizarre … she goes and holds a press conference to which she shows up late, spends most of the time toying with her cell phone, and then instructs reporters (via her lawyer) to "go home." That's the latest in the saga of Wilson, who originally claimed her winning ticket was purchased separately from a pool of tickets she bought with her McDonald's co-workers. Lottery officials have their doubts about the tale. More»

Mirlande Wilson still insists she bought ticket on her own

(NEWSER) - The weird story of Maryland's supposed Mega Millions winner gets weirder: Now Mirlande Wilson, the McDonald's employee who said she wouldn't share the winnings with her lottery pool because she bought the ticket separately from her co-workers, claims to have hidden the winning ticket—logically, at the McDonald's where they all work. "I left my ticket there, and it’s somewhere safe that only I know about," the 37-year-old tells the New York Post . The mom of seven adds that she bought it with a "lucky dollar" she found on the McDonald's floor. More»

...and says $105M ticket wasn't part of co-workers' lotto pool

(NEWSER) - Not even three days have passed since the Mega Millions drawing , and already one supposed winner is embroiled in controversy: Mirlande Wilson claims she has a winning ticket, but won't split her $105 million share of the jackpot with the co-workers in her lottery pool. Wilson, 37, claims she bought her own ticket, separate from the tickets purchased with cash from other employees at a Maryland McDonald's. But, pressed for an entire day by the New York Post , Wilson's story got hazy: "I don’t know if I won. Some of the numbers were familiar. I recognized some of [them]," she said. More»

Wait just a minute before you call everyone you know

(NEWSER) - You're probably not going to hit the jackpot in tonight's $540 million Mega Millions drawing—but what if you do? First of all, if you bought a bunch of tickets with a pool of co-workers or friends, you might want to take a moment to write up a formal agreement before the 11pm ET drawing, the Houston Chronicle reports. Another good idea: distribute photocopies of the tickets to each pool member. "You never think about these things until after you won," one attorney says. "And that's what makes the litigation necessary." The AP offers more tips for after you win:

• DO sign the back of the ticket, make a copy, and hide it or lock it up somewhere safe.
• DON'T call everyone you know to tell them the good news—soon you'll be overwhelmed with people hoping to share in your newfound riches.
• DO get in touch with a lawyer and a financial planner—preferably people you trust. Can't think of anyone? Ask a trusted family member or friend for a recommendation.