Douglaston man wins $1 Million

Forty-two-year-old Rafael Batista (left) of Douglaston is Queens County’s fourth Lottery Millionaire of 2008. The self-employed tractor mechanic bought a “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” instant ticket on April 20, at the 7-Eleven on Northern Boulevard and 247th Street. The scratch-off ticket was a $1 million winner.
Batista will get his million in 20 annual payments of $50,000 - less taxes, of course - which works out to $34,075 each year.
To his right, a New York State lottery worker dressed up as a “mega-ball” officiated at the presentation ceremony just before a recent Mets vs. Nationals game at Shea Stadium, where two other New Yorkers got checks.
Colleen Losquadro (second from right) of Brooklyn scratched a $5,000,000 “Extravaganza” instant ticket - and was also a $1 million winner. She’ll take her payout over 20 years, too.
John Borrell (right) of Staten Island scratched off the jackpot on a “$2,000 A Week For Life” instant ticket. His prize is a guaranteed $2 million before taxes.
They were the only home-town winners that day. The Mets could only scratch out five hits, and lost to Washington, 1-0.