By Stephen Stirling
A St. Albans man and an Elmhurst man each became millionaires earlier this month when they won separate jackpots with the New York State Lottery, taking home combined winnings of $15 million.St. Albans resident Michael Perez beat 420,000-to-one odds and won $14 million when his randomly generated Quick Pick ticket struck it big on April 9. Elmhurst restaurant owner Chong Bang Kim, typically a quiet, reserved man, said in a statement through his son, Yoon, that he literally jumped for joy when he discovered he won $1 million playing New York Lottery's “$500,000,000 Extravaganza” instant game.”It was pure luck,” Kim said. “My luck has not been too good until now.”Perez and Kim's son were presented with mock checks of their winnings at Queens Botanical Garden Tuesday. Kim was hard at work at his restaurant and did not attend the event himself, but his son said he was looking forward to taking a vacation – his first in 20 years – in the near future. As for Perez, he used his income tax refund to bring home the mega-bucks.”It's funny because I had just received my income tax check, so I figured I have [the money], I might as well use it,” Perez told reporters. “I still don't believe it. I'm still floating on air.”Perez, who opted to receive his winnings in a lump sum, had fallen on hard times. Perez, 51, said he was recently laid off from his job as a warehouse supervisor in Syosset, L.I., and had been living in his mother's basement with his wife of 11 years.He said his mother, mother-in-law and wife had all been helping him make ends meet while he looked for work.”My mom actually put me on a budget,” he said. “About two weeks ago, she said you're only getting $40 a month. I think she's going to take me off that budget now.”Perez said he and his wife have big plans for his winnings, which amount to about $5.05 million after taxes. He said they plan on taking a trip to Disney World and buying the home of their dreams, but not before he helps out the people who helped him first.”Before I even think about what I'm going to do for me and my wife I've got to think about what my mom wants,” he said.”After that, I've got to go to Disney World,” said Perez, who has never been to the iconic vacation destination. “Then I'll come back and think about the serious stuff.”A Bronx man, who was also on hand at the Botanical Garden to celebrate at least $2 million he won on the Lottery's Win for Life game, nearly lost out on his millions.Ruben Martinez, 44, said he bought his winning ticket more than seven months ago, but never checked to see if he had won. On April Fools' Day, Martinez said he discovered the ticket in his coat pocket and decided to check it, only to find out that he had been carrying around a $2 million ticket for more than half a year.”When I went to tell my family, they didn't believe me at first because it was April Fools',” he said.Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
