Md. winner claims Mega Millions share

BALTIMORE -- The holder of a winning Mega Millions ticket sold in Maryland claimed a share of the record-breaking $656 million prize yesterday, but will remain anonymous, state lottery officials announced.

The winner claimed the prize at lottery headquarters with a ticket matching all six numbers: 2-4-23-38-46 and the Mega Ball, 23, Maryland Lottery spokeswoman Carole Everett said.

While the winner will remain anonymous, lottery officials will share some details at a news conference this morning, she said. Maryland does not require lottery winners to be identified.

It was the biggest jackpot in Mega Millions history, and the three winners -- in Maryland, Illinois and Kansas -- will each receive more than $218 million before taxes. Kansas' winner claimed a share of the jackpot Friday, but also decided to remain anonymous.

Maryland's winner bought the ticket at a 7-Eleven in Milford Mill, outside Baltimore. An attorney for a Baltimore woman who initially claimed she had the winning ticket, then said she had misplaced it, did not immediately return a call last night seeking comment.-- AP