Lawrenceville mayor’s lottery winnings went quickly

Money comes and money goes — quickly, it would seem.

In May, Lawrenceville Mayor Rex Millsaps won $250,000 from the Georgia lottery’s Mega Millions drawing. On June 3 he cashed his winnings. Three days later, most of that money was gone, minus a “substantial portion” he had set aside for his youngest daughter Karla’s wedding and taxes.

He gave some money to his children and grandchildren, but “they probably spent it,” he said.

To treat himself, Millsaps lavished his pickup truck with an oil change, detailing and new tires. That ran him $900.

“Since I had so much money, I bought Michelin tires,” he said. “I had never been able to afford Michelin tires before.”

Naturally, his wife, Sheila, thought she deserved a little something, too.

“My wife figured if I got that, she’d go out and buy a new car,” he said.

The little treat for Sheila Millsaps was a 2008 Cadillac CTS. But the personal check she wrote for the $44,000 car didn’t go far.

“The [lottery] money was in a money-market account, and she wrote it on the checking account,” the mayor said.

Millsaps covered for the bounced check.

The 57-year-old mayor said $250,000 doesn’t go as far as it used to.

But not to worry, Millsaps, an accountant, said. Today, he bought two lottery tickets, one Fantasy Five and one Mega Million.

“I know I’m gonna win tonight. I’ve just got that gut feeling.”

Besides, he said, “my truck needs a washin’ again.”