Another Instant Millionaire in Mineola

Mineola is yet again home to a New York State Lotto winner, this time a cool $1 million off a scratch-off lottery ticket.

Of all days to win it big, April Fool’s was Claude Barcos’ lucky day.

The self-employed educational software distributor stopped off at the local on Jericho Turnpike for his usual afternoon cup of coffee on April 1 and used a winning “Empire State Millionaire” ticket to purchase the drink and four more of the scratch off tickets.

The third ticket had the winning combination, making the 55-year-old resident an instant millionaire.

The jackpot win is the third for a Mineola resident in the last three months and the sixth so far this year. In January a prize in an scratch-off game.

“I called my wife right away and all she could do was cry,” Barcos said at a press conference this past weekend in Garden City. “They were tears of joy of course.”

Barcos claimed his prize that same day, opting to split the money with his wife, Christina. Each will receive an annual payment of $25,000 ($16,507 after taxes) for 20 years.

“This is a huge win for me and my family,” Barcos said. “Most of it will go toward our retirement but our son really wants a new car. I’m not sure what model, but we’ll let him pick it out.”