California Lottery Winner Proceeds With Caution

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A man who won a Lotto scratcher game has finally revealed himself five weeks after he struck it rich.

On February 23, Larry Muhammad discovered he had won $1 million playing the California Lottery's $250 Million Cash Spectacular Scratchers game.

Muhammad didn't race to claim the money and instead decided to think about his game plan before moving forward.

"I wanted to come down off my cloud, "Muhammad said. "Both of my feet are planted on the ground."

The retired plant manager said he learned a long time ago that, "a fool and his money are soon parted," so he took time to plot his next moves.

He plan on putting his son through college and working with a loved one on a project that would serve the elderly.

Muhammad purchased his winning ticket at My Vermont Liquor, which is located at 10537 South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles.

Retailers that sell top prize-winning $250 Million Cash Spectacular tickets receive a $5,000 bonus.

The $250 Million Cash Spectacular Scratchers ticket is part of the Lottery's continued effort to give out more prizes, create more winners and earn more money for education.

Overall game odds of winning a prize are 1 in 3.5. Odds of winning the top prize are 1 in 1.2 million.