The New York Lottery Awards $100,000,000 to Eight New Lottery Millionaires

NEW YORK, NY (08/02/2012)(readMedia)-- The New York Lottery's Yolanda Vega and Jackpot Announcer Ralph Buckley were on hand to introduce the $85,000,000 Mega Millions winner from the July 3 drawing. Jin Ok Choi, 54, from Staten Island, Richmond County, was shopping for a bottle of wine to bring to a friend's birthday party when she purchased her life changing ticket. Choi explained that she rarely plays the Lottery, but when she saw how big the jackpot had gotten, she took a chance on a Quick Pick ticket.

"I might spend $10 a year on Lottery tickets. I saw the big jackpot on the display in the store and went ahead and bought a ticket," explained Choi.

Choi purchased her jackpot winning ticket on July 1 at the Empire Wine & Liquor Depot on Richmond Hill Road in Staten Island. The winning numbers for the July 3 Mega Millions drawing were 03-04-24-36-52 Mega Ball 45.

Choi opted to receive her $85,000,000 jackpot prize in one lump sum payment with a cash value of $64,885,496. Her net check will total $40,426,259.

"I am still in shock," explained the new Lottery multi-millionaire. "I've already started looking at new condos, but that's about it. I have no additional plans for the money at the moment."

Seven other new Lottery millionaires were also introduced today including:

Antonio Guasco Granda, 43, of the Bronx. Guasco Granda won $1,000,000 on the Lucky Tables scratch-off game. The construction worker purchased his winning ticket on July 10 at the Northern KS Market on Northern Boulevard in Bayside. The $1,000,000 prize on the Lucky Tables game is paid as $50,000 a year for 20 years. Guasco Granda will receive an annual net check totaling $31,152 through 2031. The lucky Lottery millionaire plans to use his winnings to buy a new house.

Anthony Nastasi, 67, of Brooklyn. Nastasi won $1,000,000 on the Sweet Million drawing held on July 5. The plumber purchased his winning ticket on July 5 at Sun Well Fruit on Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. Nastasi will receive his $1,000,000 prize as a one-time lump sum payment totaling $623,040. His plans for his winnings include taking care of his family and getting things in order so he can retire.

William Sena, 28, of Brooklyn. Sena won the $1,000,000 top prize on the New York Poker scratch-off game. The NYPD officer purchased his winner on July 1 at Joann's Deli on Bay Street in Staten Island. The $1,000,000 prize on the New York Poker game is paid as $50,000 a year for 20 years. Sena will receive an annual net check totaling $31,152 through 2031. With his Lottery windfall, Sena said he plans to buy a new house for his family and invest in his daughter's future education.

Dzevat Mrkulic, 60, from Astoria, Queens County. Mrkulic won the $3,000,000 top prize on the aptly named $3,000,000 Bonanza scratch-off game. The concierge purchased his winning ticket on July 2 at 99 Cents Plus on Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria. The $3,000,000 prize on the $3,000,000 Bonanza game is paid as $150,000 a year for 20 years. Mrkulic will receive an annual check totaling $93,456. He said he has no immediate plans for the money other than to share it with his family.

Salvatore Franco, 67, of Corona, Queens County won the $5,000,000 top prize on the $5,000,000 Cash! scratch-off game. Franco purchased his ticket on the 4th of July at Lucky Corona on Roosevelt Avenue in Corona. Franco will receive his $5,000,000 prize as a one-time lump sum payment. His payment after required withholdings totals $3,115,200. The retiree plans to use his multi-million dollar windfall to buy a house and stay busy while enjoying his retirement.

Kevin Sullivan, 38, of Manhattan. Sullivan won $1,000,000 on the Sweet Million drawing held on July 16. He purchased his winning Quick Pick ticket on July 15 at A&H Newsstand on 7th Avenue in Manhattan. Sullivan will receive his $1,000,000 prize as a one-time lump sum. His payment after required withholdings totals $623,040. He plans to use his winnings to take his family on vacation and buy a house.

Nicholas Wodzenski, 32, of Holbrook, Suffolk County won the $3,000,000 top prize on the $100,000,000 Spectacular scratch-off game. The Waldbaum's manager purchased his ticket at the Cards & Things on Union Avenue in Holbrook on July 14. The $3,000,000 prize on the $100,000,000 Spectacular game is paid as $150,000 a year for 20 years. Wodzenski will receive an annual check totaling $99,270. Wodzenski said his plans for the money include paying off a few bills and buying a house on Long Island.

The New York Lottery contributed $1,110,484,399.89 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout New York City** during fiscal year 2011-2012.

The New York Lottery contributed $198,702,595.17 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Suffolk County during fiscal year 2011-2012.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America's largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing nearly $2.9 billion in fiscal year 2011-2012 to help support education in New York State. The Lottery's contribution represents nearly 15 percent of total state education aid to local school districts.

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school district's size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of Lottery school funding.

**Includes Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens and Richmond counties.

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