BAYONNE, N.J. — She won’t have to worry about government shutdowns stopping her paydays any longer.
Judith Smith, who had been a furloughed federal employee, finally claimed the $29.5 million jackpot she won from the New Jersey Lottery, The Associated Press reported.
Park Ranger Smith bought the ticket Dec. 17, a few days before the government shutdown on Dec. 22.
The shutdown lasted a record 35 days before the government reopened.
Smith is from Bayonne, New Jersey, and worked at the Fort Wadsworth recreation area in Staten Island, New York, the AP reported.
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She stashed the ticket away for safekeeping until she was able to get legal and financial advice. She then claimed her Pick-6 jackpot, lottery officials announced this week, according to the AP.
It was the largest Pick-6 jackpot for New Jersey since May 2004.
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