$4M Winning Lottery Ticket Sits In MI Man's Drawer For Months

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, MI — An Oakland County man's scratch-off ticket routine led to a $4 million winner sitting in his drawer for months, according to the Michigan Lottery.

The 59-year-old man bought the winning Millionaire’s Club ticket at the Marathon gas station at 3235 West Walton Boulevard in Waterford Township, according to lottery officials.

The man, who chose to remain anonymous, told lottery officials when playing the instant games, he typically doesn't scratch off the amounts so he'd be surprised when cashing out the ticket at a store.

"When I scratched my Millionaire’s Club ticket, I saw I won, but per usual, I didn’t scratch the amount. I put the ticket in a drawer to keep it for the next time I needed some extra cash," the lucky player told lottery officials.

He then remembered the ticket about three months later, so he took it to the store, according to lottery officials.

"I got a message to file a claim at the lottery office, so I finally scratched the amount," the lucky player told lottery officials. "When I saw it was a $4 million winner, I was amazed. I couldn’t even fathom it. It’s been very hard to wrap my head around."

The lucky player decided to take a one-time lump sum of $2.7 million, according to lottery officials.

With his winnings, he plans to invest and start a new company, according to lottery officials.