MTA Supervisor Wins $1 Million Powerball Prize

A Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) worker based on Staten Island recently became a millionaire after winning a $1 million Powerball prize. Stacey Fiore, a resident of Barnegat, New Jersey, secured the substantial sum by matching the first five numbers in a Powerball drawing. Fiore, who regularly participates in Powerball and Mega Millions games, had been hoping for a significant win.

«I checked the numbers on Monday using the Lottery’s phone app,» Fiore recounted in an NJ Lottery press release. «It said, ‘Congratulations. You won a million dollars.’ I checked again and it said the same thing.»

Fiore, who is a supervisor for the MTA on Staten Island, initially doubted her fortune and repeatedly verified the numbers. She then called her husband, Greg Fiore, who also works for the MTA as a bus operator, to confirm the winning numbers. The numbers 11, 24, 50, 56, and 66 matched her ticket, but her Powerball number was 12 instead of the drawn number, 16.

«I told him he better not be messing with me,» Fiore joked about the moment. «And did we buy real tickets?» she added, still in disbelief over the win.

This victory marks Fiore as the 39th player in New Jersey to win at least $1 million from a lottery drawing this year. Although New Jersey laws permit winners to remain anonymous, Fiore expressed joy in sharing her good news. «I went to the bank and asked to speak to the manager. I said, ‘You know somebody won $1 million here in town? Well, that’s me!’ She was super excited. It’s nice to celebrate,» Fiore shared.

The Fiore family has yet to solidify plans for their newfound wealth, though the idea of a vacation has been floated. The couple’s children are equally thrilled about the win, especially with the holiday season approaching. Despite her earlier jest about resigning from her job, Fiore promptly returned to her post at the MTA.

In the Powerball game, the winning numbers are drawn from a pool of one to 69, and the Powerball number is drawn from a separate pool of one to 26. Players seeking the jackpot must match all five white balls in any sequence alongside the red Powerball number. Powerball tickets sell for $2 each and are available for purchase throughout the week, with drawings every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 11 p.m.