Winner of $343M in Powerball 'can't let money change me'

Nov. 14 (UPI) -- A New York man who won $343.8 million in Powerball said Wednesday he "can't let money change me" but wants to "take care of it for the next generation in my family."

Rather than receiving the Oct. 27 jackpot over 29 years, Robert Bailey opted to take the lump sum of $198.1 million, which is roughly $125 million after taxes, the New York State lottery announced.

The other half of the jackpot was claimed by Lerynne West, 51, of Iowa, on Nov. 5. She also took the same lump sum.

Bailey, a 67-year-old retired government employee who lives in Manhattan, came forward at a news conference in Resorts World Casino in Queens.

"I still want to be me; I can't let money change me," Bailey said. "But I want to do the right thing and take care of it for the next generation in my family. That's why I went to a lawyer and a financial adviser first and sat down with them and talked business."

He won't say what he will do with the money except to buy a house for his mother, travel and "make good investments."

Bailey, who wore a beard and large dark glasses in posing for a publicity photo, said he was single with a few children. He said he has a "few" charities in mind to give donations.

The most he had won was $30,000 from a Take Five lottery ticket.

Bailey said he purchased the lucky Powerball ticket at a deli in Harlem where he went in to avoid the rain.

"A family member gave me the numbers over 25 years ago and I faithfully play them," Bailey said.

And he plans to stiil buy lottery tickets.

"I will continue playing my numbers until this train runs out,'' he said. "I'm going to ride this out. I can't stop now.''

Unike in some states, New York State law prevents anyone from collecting lottery winnings privately.

"But you have to watch out for your safety, that's the main thing," Bailey said. "With any type of money, and this type of money also."

The winner of the other big lottery in October, $1.538 billilion in the Mega Millions, has yet to claim the prize and can remain anonymous because South Carolina, where the ticket was purchased, allows for privacy.