Update: Riverhead man wins $150,000 on scratch-off ticket

A Riverhead man won $150,000 on an instant win game purchased at a Westhampton Beach gas station last week, New York State Lottery officials announced Monday.

Fred McLaughin, 64, recently purchased the winning Mega Money Multiplier instant game at the Valero gas station on Montauk Highway in Westhampton Beach, Lottery officials said He scratched the ticket in the gas station parking lot after he purchased it Oct. 7.

“I played for no particular reason. I was just there to get gas,” Mr. McLaughlin told Lottery officials when he claimed his prize at its Garden City customer service center on October 12th.

When reached, Fred McLaughlin who owns McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home on Marcy Avenue, denied that he was the winner.

“I wish it was me,” said Mr. McLaughlin, who is also Riverhead Town Zoning Board of Appeals chairman.

But Lottery officials said the winner does in fact own a funeral home in Riverhead.

Rob Chase, who owns the Westhampton Beach Valero station, said his employees recognized Mr. McLaughlin as a regular customer at the gas station. He also said his store has sold several winning lottery tickets in recent months.

“We’re constantly selling winning tickets over here,” he said. “They say it’s a lucky place.”

The chances of winning $150,000 in the game, which has a top prize of $5 million, are one in 252,000, according to the Lottery’s website.