Mega Millions Winner Trying to Keep His Head Up

The Bronx's Jimmy Groves came forward yesterday to hold his Mega Millions press conference, his first public appearance since winning $168 million in the big drawing a few weeks back. After reports of Groves boozing up and bumming out fearing the downsides of his big paycheck, yesterday he was all smiles, telling of his big first meal as New York's biggest jackpot winner ever (a hamburger) and about his mom rushing up from Tennessee once she heard. The self-described "homebody" has retired from his job stacking chairs at MSG and said he wants to buy a home with a yard, possibly in the Bronx or Harlem or "places in Brooklyn that are having a resurgence." He said, "I went to Germany. I came back, and New York is the only place for me right now." Like 96% of ticket buyers, Groves said he always chooses the lump sum option, but switched to the annuity on the winning ticket "because it might bring a change of luck." The 49-year-old grandfather tried to downplay his newfound status saying, "I still got to pay my rent, I still got to pay my lights and gas. I'm still just a regular Joe like everybody else. It's just that I got lucky."

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By Billy Parker in News on September 16, 2009 4:59 PM

Comments [rss]

Rocknrope

Looks like he spent the first two dollars of the 168 Million on his hat.

sexisicilian

keepin' it getto :)

savedbyzero

& $17.99 on Crest White Strips

Soggy

Maybe some people just know how to brush their teeth on a regular basis. Don't project your dental issues onto others.

Wza

Enjoy it my friend.

Mr Mel

With the right advice his great great grandchildren would be set for life.

aspiringrapper

Well, as he's a 49 year old grandfather, if that sort of parenting is passed on, we can probably see if that holds true in just a few years.

sowhtifithppnsitwll

What a smile, I'm glad he won.

(if it wasn't me that is,)

Gregoire

Spend it wisely Jimmy but enjoy it! So much money can ruin a man's life.

Espiazul

Hooray for the underdog! He's making a smart choice with the annuity. He'll get to keep more of the money at a yearly dose that won't poison him or cause him to make huge dumb purchases. Longevity... For him and his progeny...

Jail_Bait

always take the lump sum

Bort

Agreed. Lump Sum into high-yield savings account, live off the interest like it was an annuity.

barryap

But with all the horror stories we hear about people plowing through their winnings, maybe the annuity is better to protect people from themselves.