NY Lottery Winner Waited Six Years to Claim $5 Million Prize

NY Lottery

Lottery Winner Waits to See if Marriage Will Work Before Claiming Millions

It's always interesting to see just how long lottery winners wait before stepping forward to claim their prize.

Some jump on it right away, while others wait for the right opportunity to claim the money.

In the case of two central New York brothers, they waited six years before claiming the $5 million they won from a scratch-off ticket.

Why?

Read: $1 Million Lottery Winner Dead of Drug Overdose

Andy Ashkar, 34, and Nayel Ashkar, 36, claimed their prize just 11 days before it was set to expire.

Andy Ashkar bought a ticket at his parents' Syracuse convenience store in 2006 and planned to share the winnings with his brother.

According to the New York Lottery agency, Ashkar reportedly took his time to come forward for the winnings because he didn't want the $5 million payday to "negatively influence" his life and his engagement/upcoming wedding.

Navel Ashkar's wife, Sara, told the Post-Standard newspaper, "It's crazy. Hard to believe. It's still sinking in."

Read: Cereal Workers in Iowa Win $241 Million Lottery

Since the winning ticket was from Ashkar's parents' store, an investigation was conducted to determine it was legitimately purchased.

So far, neither brother has commented on the win or the need to wait, but a lottery spokeswoman said a news conference will be held at a later date.

Watch More News Videos at ABC | 2012 Presidential Election | Entertainment & Celebrity News