Hits ‘Big Spin’ : Ramona Man Wins $1 Million in Lottery

Michael Ciuzak, a self-employed electronics technician from Ramona, won $1-million Saturday in the state lottery’s “Big Spin,” and said he’ll use the money to take a vacation and buy a new computer system.

Ciuzak, 37, the father of two children, was the second of 10 participants spinning the wheel of fortune for some $3.7 million in grand prize money. The grand prize, which increases by $25,000 each time a spinner fails to win it, will start next week at $3.8 million.

“I just gave the wheel a good spin and hoped for the best,” Ciuzak said. Ciuzak added that he’ll “take some time off,” pay bills and buy a computer with his winnings. “All the kids on my block have a better computer than I do,” he said.

The $1-million prize, of which 20% is deducted immediately for federal taxes, is paid in installments of $40,000 annually over 20 years

The other winners were:

- Joan Gorman, 55, a retired food service employee from Vacaville, who won $100,000.

- William Blanton, 70, of Corona, a retired machinist who won $50,000.

- Neghsty Kiros, 42, of Colton, a mother of 12 children who won $25,000.

- Bradford Morris, a 19-year-old union laborer from Buellton, who won $20,000.

- Gian Singh-Gill, 56, of Marysville; Gregory Rucoba, 30, of Lompoc; Velma Doby, 59, of Los Angeles; Jim Henderson, 49, of North Hollywood, and Gary Humiston, 45, of La Mirada all won $10,000 each.