After living through the toughest times, a California man’s life changed in an instant.
Earlier this month, the California Lottery said a customer at Sandy’s Liquor in San Luis Obispo became an instant millionaire after winning on a scratcher. Now, according to the Los Angeles Times, it’s come out that the winner is a homeless man.
That news comes from the owner of Sandy’s Liquor, Wilson Samaan, who told The Times that the winner was a longtime customer and that he “deserves every penny.”
“I was so excited — even more than him,” Samaan said, via The Times. “He’s a good person, he deserves every penny … I was very excited it happened to a person who deserved it, and he actually needed it.”
The winner, who chose to remain anonymous for the story, plans to buy a house and a car with his million dollars.
Samaan eagerly shared the lottery win on the Sandy’s Liquor Instagram page. As the vendor, the store will receive $5,000 from the California Lottery.
The winner and Samaan have a close friendship, according to The Times. Samaan drove him to the California Lottery office in Fresno after scratching off the winning ticket.
The win is still being verified by the California Lottery.