NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) – He has kept people in a small town in suspense for two weeks, but John Lorusso has finally come foward to claim the $15 million Powerball jackpot from the October 3 drawing.

The 43-year-old printing company co-owner from Eastford bought the winning ticket at an X-tra Mart in neighboring Ashford, where store patrons have been gossiping about who the winner might be.

He says he didn’t claim the jackpot until Wednesday because he wanted to wait until his business partner came home from vacation. He made a public appearance with state lottery officials on Thursday.

Lorusso chose the lump-sum option, which amounts to nearly $5 million after taxes. He was the only person in the country with the first-prize winning numbers, 2-4-14-15-28 with the Powerball number 23.

He says he’s not sure yet how he will spend the money, but wants to be smart about it.

AP-ES-10-18-07 1449EDT