LANSING, May 23, 2000 — A Waterford man waited until almost the last minute to claim a $100,000 top prize in the Michigan Lottery’s Cash 5 game.

The 70-year-old winner, who requested anonymity, matched all five numbers in the May 17, 1999 drawing — 14, 19, 26, 35 and 36. He purchased the lucky ticket for the May 17, 1999 drawing, stuck it in his wallet and forgot all about it. Lucky for him, he found the ticket just in the nick of time!

"I was cleaning my wallet out one day and saw the ticket in there," the winner said. "I had forgotten I purchased it. I took it to a neighborhood store right away to find out what the winning numbers were for that date. I was completely shocked to learn I had been carrying around a $100,000 winning ticket in my wallet for the past year!"

The lucky man purchased the winning Cash 5 "easy pick" ticket at Huron Plaza Party Store, 694 W. Huron Street, in Pontiac.

The avid golfer and fisherman said he doesn’t have any definite plans for his winnings yet, but will likely make investments with it.

The retiree offered the following words of encouragement to other Lottery hopefuls: "Just keep playing the Lottery — you never know when you will win!"

If the lucky Waterford man had not stepped forward to claim his $100,000 prize by the close of business on May 17, 2000, his prize would have reverted to the state School Aid Fund to support K-12 public education in Michigan.

The Lottery currently has 17 unclaimed top Lottery prizes ranging in value from $100,000 to $250,000. For more information about any unclaimed Michigan Lottery prize, players can call (517) 335-5640.

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