New York (CNN) -- In the post-
Superstorm Sandy destruction, New
York landscaper Marvin Rosales
Martinez was clearing storm debris with
a leaf blower when he discovered an
unknown treasure hidden in a pile of
leaves.
The damp "Win $1,000 a Week for Life"
scratch-off ticket could change his life.
Rosales Martinez, 27, a resident of
Hicksville on Long Island, was awarded
his $1 million lottery prize on Friday,
more than a year after he claimed the
winning ticket. He found the ticket
among leaves in October 2012.
According to a New York Lottery
statement, Rosales Martinez first
brought the ticket to a 7-Eleven, but the
store couldn't verify it.
It wasn't until November 9, 2012, when
Rosales Martinez brought the ticket to
the lottery's Long Island Customer
Service Center that officials confirmed
that it was a winning ticket.
Then, there was a "standard and
thorough internal security investigation"
to ensure the validity and ownership of
the ticket.
According to Lee Park, a lottery
spokesman, the review found no reason
to believe that the ticket "wasn't
rightfully the property of Mr. Martinez.
There was no report of theft or of a
ticket being misplaced."
"It should be noted that Lottery tickets
are bearer instruments," said Park,
referring to instruments that may be
converted to cash by whomever holds
it. "In instances such as these, it's
standard practice for the lottery to
require a one-year waiting period before
awarding the prize in case anyone else
comes forward."
In this case, no one stepped forward.
Rosales Martinez was one of five New
York lottery winners to claim a prize
Friday.
The recipient opted to receive his
jackpot prize as a one-time lump sum
payment. He will receive a payment of $
779,106, netting him $515,612 after
required tax withholdings, according to
the release.
Rosales Martinez, who could not be
reached for comment, told lottery
officials that he planned to share his
good fortune with his family.
source: www.cnn.com