Couple claims half of 390 million

[Thomas]

As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer: "A Cape May County couple who won half of a record $390 million lottery jackpot claimed their prize yesterday, almost two weeks after the drawing.

"Elaine and Harold 'Barry' Messner hid their secret until yesterday and appeared to have carefully planned for the moment.

"But there would be no giant check and smiling for cameras for the Messners. They would entertain no questions about just how delicious it must feel to win that many millions or exactly how they planned to spend the gigantic jackpot.

"…Through a lawyer they hired before going to the New Jersey Lottery to claim their Mega Millions prize yesterday – $87.4 million in cash, after taxes – the Messners declined all comment.

"…In a statement released through the state Lottery Commission, the couple said their working days were over.

"…Instead of immediately coming forward and holding a news conference - as did the truck driver from Georgia who won the other half of the jackpot - the Messners hired a financial consultant and a lawyer and waited almost two weeks…"