Retired Xcel Employee, Server Win $11.7M MN Hot Lotto

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) --Minnesota's newest multi-millionaires say they're still the same people.

Joe and Rhonda Meath of Bethel won $11.7 million jackpot in Minnesota's Hot Lotto.

The Meaths were spotted by WCCO Radio's Edgar Linares entering the lottery headquarters Monday morning.

Joe bought the winning ticket at Corner Express in East Bethel on Saturday.

He said he re-checked the numbers for an hour before waking up his wife to tell her he'd won.

The couple says they have no big plans for the money yet.

Joe is a retired Xcel Energy worker.

Rhonda says she plans to continue working as a server at Lake Elmo Inn.

In Hot Lotto, the lottery pays the mandatory minimum withholding taxes on the prize.