LANSING, June 29, 1999 – Lenore Humphrey-Cortez of Fort Wayne, Indiana was surprised beyond belief when she scratched off a Michigan Lottery "Fat Cat" instant ticket to reveal she had won the $20,000 top prize!

The 51-year-old winner purchased the winning ticket at D & L Fuels, 1035 Lansing Road, in Charlotte.

"I bought two ‘Fat Cat’ tickets and scratched them off while waiting for a friend in the store," Humphrey-Cortez said.  "I couldn’t believe I had won!  At first I thought I won $2,000, but after looking at the ticket a bunch of times I realized I had actually won $20,000!"

The supervisor at Fort Wayne State Developmental Center said she has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 10 years, and enjoys the wide variety of games the Lottery offers.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Humphrey-Cortez kept it in her purse to ensure its safety.  The lucky lady plans to use her winnings to pay bills.

"Fat Cat" is just one of many Michigan Lottery instant tickets available at more than 9,300 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

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