Sep 16, 2009 10:24 am US/Eastern
Bronx Mega Millions Winner Just Wants Burger
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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49-year-old grandpa Jimmy Groves became the newest Mega Millions winner on August 28, 2009. Groves, of the Bronx, said he's just a regular guy, who wants to buy a hamburger.
CBS
A 49-year-old grandfather from the Bronx bought the winning ticket in the August 28, $336 million jackpot. He'll share half the winnings.
"I'm just a regular Joe like everybody else. You know? It's just that I got lucky," said instant millionaire Jimmy Groves.
He's New York's biggest lottery jackpot winner ever, becoming $168 million after picking the winning numbers in last month's Mega Millions multi-state lottery.
Groves came to Madison Square Garden, where he works, to accept his ceremonial check. The laborer who helps set up the arena for Knicks and Ranger games can now afford his own front row seat.
Asked how he keeps perspective now that he's worth $168 million, Groves answered: "My mother."
The Bronx resident said the first thing he did was call his mother. And so far, the money does not seem to have changed him. He said his first plan was to go buy himself a hamburger.
This has been a long time coming for Jimmy Groves. He's been buying Mega Millions tickets twice a week every week for the last seven years. Finally it paid off.
Groves bought his ticket from a Bronx convenience store, whose clerk and owner were on hand today to get their own $10,000 prize.
He'll receive his payment in 26 equal yearly installments of $6.4 million instead of a lump sum. After taxes he'll net about $4 million a year.
As for longer term plans, he said he wants a car, to help his mother, and to find a new place to live right here in the City.
"I'm looking at the Bronx, Harlem, places in Brooklyn that are having a resurgence," Groves said. "I went to Germany. I came back, and New York is the only place for me right now."
Jimmy Groves may be a lot richer Tuesday, but the self-described homebody still seems to know who he is.
CBS 2HD's John Metaxas contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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