December 07, 2011 -- A tight-knit group of co-workers employed by Data-Mail Inc. of Newington nearly won the Powerball jackpot having matched the first 5 numbers drawn in the November 16, 2011 Powerball game with the numbers 4 - 23 - 39 - 49 - 50, but they missed having the Powerball number of 39.  The Power Play multiplier was 3.  Because the group had added the Power Play option to the purchase of their Powerball ticket for an extra $1, their $200,000 prize was automatically multiplied by 5 for a spectacular $1,000,000 win.  “We didn’t realize that we had won $1,000,000 until we called Lottery headquarters and it was explained to us.  I couldn’t believe it,” said the group’s spokesperson, Rafael Garcia of New Britain.  “The news spread out among us, and then the whole floor found it out—there was just so much excitement!”

The winners, who good-naturedly referred to themselves as “The Incredible Nine” on this special winning occasion, arrived at CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill to claim nine checks each for $75,889 (prize value after taxes).   The winners were Rafael Berrios, Emilia Carrasquillo, Maria Dearce, Carmen Febo, Maria Narvaez, and Eugenio Padilla of Hartford; and Rafael Garcia and Norberto Candelario of New Britain.

“Aside from this $1 million Powerball win, November was a very lucky month for Lottery players,” said Lottery President and CEO, Anne M. Noble.  “Classic Lotto’s jackpot was won twice during the month.  Then, a Hamden resident won the ‘Lucky-4-Life’ draw game’s top prize worth $2,000 a week, every week for life.  It’s been an unbelievable month, and we’re very excited for our players.”
 
“This really is incredible,” Garcia said.   Other members of the group agreed with Garcia, commenting how the prize money would positively affect their lives—to help to pay bills, college tuition, mortgages, donating to their church, or taking a family vacation.  

Nationwide, 578,682 winning Powerball tickets were purchased on November 16; 11,065 of those tickets were sold here in Connecticut.

Mercury Mini Mart, located at 888 New Britain Avenue in Hartford, will receive a $2,000 bonus check from the CT Lottery for selling the winning ticket.