Staten Island Plumber Wins $136 Million Powerball Jackpot
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Staten Island plumber is now a multi-millionaire thanks to a winning Powerball ticket.
Anthony Perosi, 56, was the sole winner of the March 14 Powerball drawing. He matched all six numbers, winning the $136 million jackpot.
Perosi bought the winning ticket after stopping at the 7-Eleven at 15 Page Ave. in Richmond Valley.
Staten Island Plumber Wins $136 Million Powerball Jackpot
"I was running some errands that day and stopped to buy my Powerball ticket," he said. "I picked my numbers a couple of months ago and have played them a few times before. They don't represent birthdays or anything. I just picked them randomly."
As CBS2's Valerie Castro explained, a friend of his later told him that she heard a school teacher won the big prize, so he didn't bother checking his ticket, which he left pinned behind a pipe in his basement for six weeks.
"That's where I keep all of my tickets," Perosi explained. "I even printed out the winning numbers from the drawing, but never checked them against my ticket."
He finally got around to checking his ticket on April 27, and as CBS2's Lou Young explained, the sheer size of the Powerball win still has him nearly speechless.
"When I saw all the numbers matched up I panicked," Perosi said. "I immediately called my son and asked him to come over right away."
"I couldn't believe what I was seeing," 27-year-old Anthony Perosi III said. "I checked the numbers on my phone and it has been surreal ever since."
Staten Island Plumber Wins $136 Million Powerball Jackpot
On his way to the claim center, Perosi called his friend and told her, "You just made me wait six weeks to become a millionaire."
"We both had a big laugh about it," Perosi said.
New York Lottery's Yolanda Vega presented Perosi with his prize check Thursday morning in Lower Manhattan.
"I thought I was having a heart attack, or my heart stopped," he said.
Perosi's ticket has a cash value of more than $88 million. He is opting to split the prize with his son, CBS2's Dave Carlin reported.
"I don't really know how to feel right now," said Perosi III. "I don't have words for it. It's just unbelievable and a big relief; like a big weight is off my shoulders. I'll probably pay some bills, take a vacation, and then really take some time to think and plan for the future."
His father said he's not sure what he'll do with the money yet.
"I want to continue to work, but will be able to relax a little more and not have any worries financially," Perosi said.
Perosi is now relaxing on a tropical island, trying to plot his next move.
"I think it's a great hideout for him right now, because nobody down there knows. He can blow money left and right and nobody's going to get it. He's just another rich guy," Amy Perosi said.
After taxes, Perosi will take home $38.6 million, and his son will get $16.5 million.
