Mason man, former State Journal reporter wins $2 million in lottery game
LANSING — A Mason man is now about $1.3 million richer.
Hugh Leach, 82, recently bought a Michigan Lottery instant game ticket and won a $2 million prize, according to the lottery. He chose a one-time payment of about $1.3 million rather than annuity payments, according to a news release, and said he planned to buy a car, lawn mower, complete some home repairs and invest the money.
Leach, a former longtime Lansing State Journal reporter, bought his ticket at a Meijer in Mason after buying groceries.
"I buy a $20 ticket every two weeks," he told the Michigan Lottery. "When I finished up grocery shopping, I stopped at the Lottery machine and purchased a ticket on my way out. When I got home and finished unloading the groceries, I scratched the ticket.
"When I saw I matched '02' for a $2 million prize, I thought: 'Wait a minute. This can’t be right.' I looked the ticket over a few more times and then said to my wife: 'I think I just won $2 million!' I called the Lottery the next day to confirm it was real and schedule an appointment to claim my prize."
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Leach worked at the State Journal for 38 years, in which time, former State Journal columnist John Schneider wrote upon Leach's retirement in 2008, "he became a walking, talking Atlas of mid-Michigan - and a generous one at that."
Leach couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
Contact reporter Matt Mencarini at 517-377-1026 or mjmencarini@lsj.com.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Mason man, former LSJ reporter wins $2 million in lottery game
