$590 million Powerball jackpot claimed in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Lottery says the winner of the $590 million Powerball jackpot has claimed the prize.

Lottery officials say they’ll hold an afternoon press conference on Wednesday, though the winner will not attend. The person’s identity was not immediately released, but lottery officials said it was a woman from Zephyrhills, Fla., where the winning ticket was sold May 18.

Under state law, the winner cannot remain anonymous.

Officials say it’s the largest sole winner in U.S. history. The woman, who took the smaller lump-sum payment option, came to Tallahassee with her son and two attorneys.

The winning ticket was sold at a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills, a town of just over 13,300 people about 30 miles northeast of Tampa. It is best known for bottled spring water that bears its name.

The winner had 60 days from the May 18 drawing to claim the lump sum and could have waited until mid-November to claim annual cash payments.