BETHEL - A Bethel couple has claimed a record $11.7 million Hot Lotto jackpot.
The amount was the largest Hot Lotto prize in Minnesota history, according to the Minnesota Lottery.
Joe Meath, 53, who is retired from Xcel Energy, purchased the winning ticket at a gas station in East Bethel. His wife, Rhonda, 51, a server at the Lake Elmo Inn, said in a statement released by the Minnesota Lottery that she expected her husband to win someday - just not this much.
“He’s lucky,” she said. “I didn’t think it would be quite this big.”
The ninth line of Joe Meath’s 10-line quick-pick ticket had the winning sequence of 1-2-3-25-30 with a Hot Ball of 19.
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The Meaths plan to give part of their winnings to the St. Paul Police K-9 Foundation, a group for which Rhonda volunteers.
Rhonda Meath also plans on purchasing a new vehicle. However, her husband will stick with his truck despite the 280,000 miles on it.
Two years ago, the Hot Lotto game became a taxes-paid jackpot. That means the Meaths will receive the entire $11.7 million, with the Minnesota Lottery covering withholding taxes.
