Plumber finds $136 million winning lottery ticket after nearly losing it in his basement

The Staten Island resident plans to split his winnings with his son

(AP Images)

A New York plumber has won a $136 million Powerball jackpot after nearly forgetting about the winning ticket in his basement.

Anthony Perosi, 56, bought the ticket at a 7-Eleven convenience store on Staten Island back on March 14. Mr Perosi left his ticket posted on his basement wall for nearly six weeks.

“I was looking at the ticket, looking at the computer, looking at the ticket, looking at the computer,” he said at a press conference.

“I tried to breathe in, and nothing would go in, so I thought I was having a heart attack, like my heart stopped.

“So I really grabbed the ticket, thinking that they’ll find it in my hand and then I finally exhaled.”

After taxes, Mr Perosi will receive $38,612,055. He plans to spit the winnings with his son.