RELEASE DATE: 5/15/2014
PLAINVIEW, N.Y. – The New York Lottery’s Yolanda Vega today presented a ceremonial prize check worth $20,000,000 to Cameron Finney, 48, who won the March 25, 2014 Mega Millions jackpot.
Finney, an orderly at South Hampton Hospital and resident of Suffolk County, had been out for a chicken dinner at Popeye’s the evening of the drawing when he made the last-minute decision to go next door for dessert in the form of a ticket for that night’s $20 million dollar Mega Millions jackpot. Finney, who said he only plays “every now and then,” purchased $4.00 worth of Quick Picks and headed on his way.
The following day while buying breakfast at a deli, Finney swiped his ticket and saw the “Big Winner” message. He immediately gave the ticket to the clerk who confirmed the win. Finney then called his wife, Donna, who didn’t believe him. Still in complete shock, he had the store clerk attempt to convince her while he continued to pace the store mumbling to himself, “Oh my God, oh my God.”
The jackpot-winning ticket was sold at Gascon Inc. at 443 Middle Country Road in Coram. The winning numbers were 19-26-51-57-73 and Megaball 15. Finney has opted for the lump sum in the amount of $11,191,942, which will net him $7,406,827 after required withholdings.
Finney had plans to get his dream car, a Bentley, but he and his wife have decided instead to go with the more practical Dodge Ram to replace the one he wrecked only a few weeks prior to the big win. He plans to continue working at the hospital; a job he’s held for over 13 years.
“I like helping people so I want to continue doing that,” said Finney.
Finney also owns a cleaning business on the side, which he is thinking about expanding in order “to stay busy.”
The New York Lottery contributed $219,832,350.09 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Suffolk County during fiscal year 2012-2013.
About the New York Lottery
The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.04 billion in fiscal year 2012-2013 to help support education in New York State. The Lottery’s contribution represents 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.
About the New York State Gaming Commission
The New York State Gaming Commission regulates all aspects of gaming and gambling activity in the state, including horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, class III Indian gaming, video lottery terminal facilities at race tracks, the state lottery and charitable gaming.
Media contact: New York Lottery Communications Office, (518) 388-3415