South Louisiana Family Claims Record Powerball Jackpot

The winner is a three-member family partnership from the Eunice area. Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says the group opted for the lump sum prize which is $119.4 million dollars,

Chopin says the winning family wishes to remain anonymous, but obviously they are elated.

"They are a quiet family that doesn't want to be treated like celebrities," said Chopin. "But they love to travel and said they would probably upgrade a bit."

The family released a statement which said, "For those who say you'll never win, well never was on October 25th." Chopin says the family member who bought the winning ticket was actually working off-shore when he discovered the good news. She says the winning family agreed that they would share any winnings.

The payout represents the largest single prize ever won in the Lottery's 26-year history.

The powerball prize for tonight's drawing is $229 million, or $145 million in cash.