Jai Agnish and Kaitlyn Kanzler | The (Bergen County, N.J.) Record

NorthJersey.com

Chris Pedota, The (Bergen County, N.J.) Record

TRENTON, N.J. — The sole winner of the world's 10th largest lottery jackpot moved last year to New Jersey and works as a production manager at food-service manufacturer, state lottery officials announced Friday.

Richard Wahl, 47, of Vernon Township, N.J., bought his Mega Millions ticket, worth $533 million, the day before the March 30 drawing at a convenience store located on a route to work. He opted to take $324 million in cash now rather than the full value in installments over 30 years.

"We're a humble family, and we're going to keep our roots," Wahl said Friday as lottery officials presented his oversized check. "We are not the type to run out and spend all the money and have a great time and party it up."

Ameer Krass, who identified Wahl earlier by looking at video surveillance footage around the time officials said the winning ticket was sold, called Wahl a regular at his gas station mini-mart but kept mum on the winner's name.

Wahl moved to New Jersey in July from Michigan and works at AAK Foodservice. He said he and his family had not made a decision about moving, but his decision for the cash prize means he will collect about $175 million after federal, state and local taxes.

At first, Wahl said he looked at the ticket, his gateway to the fourth largest Mega Millions jackpot, and thought he had won $1 million.

We are not the type to run out and spend all the money and have a great time and party it up. Richard Wahl, Vernon Township, N.J.

"I was excited, life-changing money," he said. He became emotional when recounting the moment he realized he had won the grand prize.

"It didn't sink in. It was truly amazing." Wahl said he walked upstairs and told his wife they were going on vacation. "We hit it," he told her.

Then they reviewed the numbers about 15 times more just to be sure, put the valuable ticket in a fireproof safe and didn't leave the house all weekend, he said. Friday marks two weeks since the 11 p.m. ET drawing.

Wahl would like to rebuild a 1964 Corvette and said he hopes to do charity work with the winnings. He already has consulted a team of financial experts, who were present at the lottery's news conference.

"For us, we believe God has a plan," Wahl said. "It's not only life-changing money for me, we want it to be life-changing money for others — family, friends, people in need."

His mother has been on a reduced income in recent times, he said. Now he will be able to help her.

Unlike some other states, lottery winners in New Jersey don't have an option to remain anonymous, New Jersey Lottery officials said. They are also required to participate in a news conference.

Follow Jai Agnish and Kaitlyn Kanzler on Twitter: @JaiAgnish and @KaitlynKanzler8