$338m lottery jackpot winner overjoyed

LAWRENCEVILLE (AP):

The Dominican immigrant who won one of the largest lottery jackpots in United States history said yesterday he felt "pure joy" at winning, but his mind wasn't yet clear enough to know what he'll do with the money.

Pedro Quezada appeared at New Jersey lottery headquarters to officially claim the US$338 million Powerball prize. The former shop owner from a working-class suburb of New York City has been in the US for 26 years.

If Quezada takes a lump-sum payment, it would be worth US$221 million, or about US$152 million after taxes. It's the fourth-largest jackpot in Powerball history.

"I know he's going to do something good with the money," Quezada's son, Casiano, said yesterday from behind the counter of the family store, the Apple Deli Grocery. Maybe his father will open another store, he said.

Neighbours told The Record newspaper that the Quezada family has suffered bad luck in recent years. Two years ago, thieves broke into their apartment and stole everything from clothing to jewellery. The year before, a fire destroyed much of their store, they said.

"It's a blessing," Casiano said of the win. "It's something that happened, and you just have to take it as it is."

Casiano said he is proud of his father and still in disbelief that he won.

Pedro Quezada showed up late Monday at the liquor store where he purchased the ticket to have it validated.

Lottery officials scheduled a news conference yesterday afternoon to formally declare him the winner.