Oregon man wins $21 million in Megabucks drawing

MAUPIN, Ore. — Phil DiBartolo put down $6 for Megabucks lottery tickets and walked away with $21 million — the second-largest Megabucks prize in Oregon history.

"The very first line of the ticket had all six numbers in exactly the right order. When I realized it, my knees got to shaking and tears were rolling down my cheeks," said DiBartolo, who found out Thursday about his good luck.

DiBartolo, a state Department of Transportation employee, bought the winning ticket at Graves' Market in Maupin. When he turned in the ticket, the lottery machine started playing music.

"I still can't believe it," said Teresa DiBartolo, his wife.

Phil DiBartolo still hasn't collected his winnings and is trying to decide between the smaller, instant cash prize or the 20-year annuity option.

"Somebody said that the instant cash would only be $6.8 million after taxes. 'Only' $6.8 million. Imagine that," he said.

Teresa DiBartolo works at Safeway in The Dalles and says she will likely keep working for awhile. Her husband, however, won't be returning to his 20-year Department of Transportation job.

"I could have retired back in August, but I couldn't afford it," he said. "Now I can. I won't have to plow snow or do anything this winter."

The biggest Megabucks jackpot was $23 million in 1991.