A park ranger furloughed during the partial federal government shutdown has claimed a $29.5 million lottery jackpot.
The New Jersey Lottery on Wednesday announced Judith Smith had purchased the winning Dec. 17 Pick-6 ticket days before the shutdown closed the Fort Wadsworth recreation area in Staten Island, New York.
The Bayonne, New Jersey, resident and her two children put the ticket in a safe place while seeking legal and financial advice before claiming the jackpot.
The Pick-6 jackpot is the state’s largest since May 2004.
The government shutdown ended last month.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.