L.I. Floral Designer Wins $33 Million Mega Millions Jackpot
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – It may seem puny next to Wednesday night's record Powerball jackpot, but one Nassau County resident is collecting his winnings from a $33 million Mega Millions jackpot.
Philip Cimino of Garden City Park was presented with a lump sum check for $16.4 million after taxes on Thursday.
1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reports
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The 67-year-old purchased the winning ticket for the Nov. 2 drawing in Mineola.
Cimino could be considered one of the luckiest men on Long Island. Not only did he win the jackpot, but he also escaped Superstorm Sandy unscathed.
"The lights stood on, the only thing I lost was TV and telephone," Cimino said.
The floral designer said he might buy a condo with the money, but for now is still on cloud nine.
Other winners from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Suffolk County each received a check for $1 million.
John F. Kennedy International Airport customs broker Joel Ditkowsky didn't hit the big Powerball payout, but he is one of 58 second prize winners nationwide who came up just one number short of the jackpot.
His take-home after taxes was $623,000.
The Commack resident said the money will be a big help as he cleans up downed trees from Sandy that are littering his back yard.
Donald Gilbert of Staten Island also won $1 million in Mega Millions and said he will use some of his jackpot to help friends coping with Sandy, he told CBS 2's Carolyn Gusoff.
Long Island plumber Tony Auriemma said he has been working non-stop in homes devastated by Sandy, despite winning $1 million on a scratch-off.
Auriemma told Gusoff he has continued to work despite his windfall because people still need heat and hot water.
Before taxes, Tony will take home $50,000 a year for the next 20 years, split with his mother-in-law who bought the ticket with him.
Auriemma said the money may not change his life, but it does make him feel like a million bucks.
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