Bzean American wins U.S. $97 million in Louisiana

It’s a favourite fantasy to imagine winning millions of dollars but for one Belizean American and his wife, that dream has come true. On Thursday, seventy-four-year old Carl Bernard Hunter and his wife Diane claimed, wait for it, the ninety-seven million U.S. dollars they won in the Louisiana Powerball jackpot. In January, Hunter stopped at a convenience store near his New Orleans home to buy milk and decided to use his loose change to buy a “quick-pick” at the same time. The Hunters could barely believe their luck when their numbers were drawn in the jackpot but decided to wait until this week to claim their prize so Carl, a building contractor, could finish his outstanding projects. Carl is an “avid” lottery buyer and when he turned in the winning ticket, became the largest Powerball winner in Louisana’s history. The couple opted to take a lump payment so after taxes, the ninety-seven million was whittled down to thirty-three point nine million. While retirement is definitely in their future, Carl and Diane haven’t decided yet how they’ll use the money. Carl is the son of Frank and Helen Hunter of Belize City. Carl and Diane lost their home in Hurricane Katrina in 2005. According to Carl’s aunt, Nessie Burn, the couple has gone into hiding but they do plan to visit Belize as soon as the media frenzy is over.