Tuesday, March 11, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
John Chirinian, a retired Henderson, Nev., jewelry merchant, who buys his tickets in Kingman, said Monday he has known all along that he held the ticket that won in the Oct. 5 drawing but had kept it in a safety deposit box until his health permitted him to travel to Phoenix to claim his cash prize.
Having elected to take his jackpot in cash, Chirinian wound up with $4.48 million. Jackpots may be taken in cash, which produces a lower jackpot, or in 20-year payments. The deferred payment plan ultimately equals the publicized pre-tax total.
Chirinian told lottery officials he and his wife plan on buying a new car and "taking it easy" from now on.
The jackpot would have expired next month if it had gone unclaimed.
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