Quang Dao

Powerball Winner • NE • 2006

Jackpot (2024$)

$569,000,000

lump sum

Age at Win

56

3rd-shift cleaning crew, ConAgra Foods

Summary

Eight ConAgra meatpacking workers from Lincoln, Nebraska won $365M in February 2006—then the largest lottery prize in US history. Nearly all thrived. Three were refugees.

Quick Facts

Win Date
February 18, 2006
State
NE
Winner Type
syndicate
Ticket Type
Quick Pick
Payment Choice
lump sum
After Tax
$106M

Notable Quotes

"This is great country!"

"I have been retired for about four days now"

"I did not know what to think. I still do not know what to think"

"We are still thinking we are going to wake up from a dream, or something, and it is not all true"

"In reality, I am not a fan of flying and do not really like water"

"She is going to be happy for the rest of her life"

"I came to the United States to be free."

"After I hit the lottery, it changed my relatives' life also."

"Maybe I retire a couple of more years."

Analysis

Protective Factors

  • +Syndicate structure provided mutual support network
  • +Hid from media for several days before claiming
  • +Retained attorney James H. Hoppe immediately
  • +Strategic delay to work out future plans
  • +Presented unified front at press conference
  • +Immigrant work ethic - some continued working initially
  • +David Gehle invested majority, lived modestly
  • +Maboussou invested in education (business degree)
  • +Dao/Tran used wealth for family remittances - purpose beyond self

How They Found Out

Dung Tran called Powerball hotline at 10:30 PM Saturday. Coworkers were sleeping. Tran HID THE TICKET IN HIS UNDERWEAR beneath his jeans for 3 days until they met with attorney.

Research Quality: verified Last Updated: 12/24/2024Years Tracked: 19