- A Wisconsin man kept his end of a pact made 28 years ago and split his $ 22 million jackpot winnings with his friend.
- Thomas Cook and Joseph Feeney shook hands in 1992 promising to split the winnings regardless of who won.
- Both men took home about 5.7 million each after state and federal taxes.
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A Wisconsin man fulfilled his promise 28 years later by splitting the $ 22 million jackpot with his friend.
NBC reported that Thomas Cook and Joseph Feeney shook hands and made a pact in 1992 that they would divide the Powerball lottery winnings, regardless of who won.
According to the report, Cook purchased the winning $ 22 million ticket from a Menomonie, Wisconsin gas station in June.
During an interview with the Wisconsin Lottery on Thursday, Cook explained how both he and his wife froze when they realized he had the winning ticket.
Cook said he then called Feeney, who was stunned by the news and thought he was joking.
In the interview, Feeney explained the couple’s agreement.
“We said when the big winner comes, we are going to divide it,” Feeney said. “So we shop every week … without really thinking what would happen.”
“That happened many years ago,” Cook replied. “A handshake is a handshake, man.”
The duo do not have big plans with their new fortune, but they are eager to retire and spend time with their family.
“I can’t think of a better way to retire,” said Cook.
According to the NBC report, in a Wisconsin Lottery press release, Cook and Feeney chose the $ 16.7 million cash option, which is approximately $ 5.7 million each after state and federal taxes.
