The winner, Robert Bailey, said he received the winning numbers over 25 years ago
NEW YORK — A 67-year-old New York City man has stepped forward to claim his $343.9 million prize from a Powerball ticket, making him the winner of the biggest jackpot in New York Lottery history, according to the New York State Gaming Commission .
The winner is Robert Bailey, who said he received the winning numbers over a quarter century ago. « A family member gave me the numbers over twenty-five years ago and I faithfully played them, » the retired government employee said Wednesday in a news release.
The winning numbers in the October 27 drawing were 8,12,13,19 and 27, and Powerball: 4. Bailey said he checked his ticket online following the drawing and was shocked.
« I said to myself, ‘These look like my numbers.’ I tried to remain calm and sat down to watch some shows I had on my DVR. I didn’t sleep the rest of the night, » he said.
Two players won the game that night in a jackpot that topped $687 million, the second being a woman from Iowa.
« I’m excited to share my winnings with family and friends, plan to purchase a new car, and look forward to a long vacation — or several, » Lerynne West, from Redfield, Iowa, said earlier this month . « I also plan to give to the causes and organizations important to my family through our newly established Callum Foundation. »
Bailey, who bought his ticket at a deli in Harlem, chose to take his portion of the prize in a single payment of $198,086,518. After withholdings, he will receive $125,396,690, according to New York’s Gaming Commission.
« I’m gonna get a house, especially for my mother. God bless her, she’s still around, » he said, CBS New York reported. « I definitely want to travel a little bit and hopefully I make some good investments that will work for me and my family. »
He also plans to keep playing his numbers « until this train runs out. »
