CA man claims $52M lotto jackpot after recognizing self in surveillance photo

FREMONT, Calif. (KABC) -- A California man has come forward to claim a $52 million Mega Millions jackpot. He had been rich for a month and didn't know it!

Bladimir Agnite and his wife Marita claimed their jackpot after the husband saw himself in the news. That's because for the first time ever, California Lottery officials released pictures outing a winner before the ticket was claimed.

Officials said they released the video because they wanted Agnite to claim his winnings.

Agnite realized he was a millionaire when he got on his computer to check the lottery's unclaimed winning tickets, and saw a surveillance photo of himself.

Agnite bought his ticket at a Fremont liquor store, where he always plays one Quick Pick a week. The father of three has been laid off for a year.

Despite the big win, his wife says she will continue working, and the couple hopes their children will stay grounded.

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