March 02, 2011 -- In a life changing move in 1999, Lejsan Jusufi, a native of Kosovo, moved to the United States with hopes to experience a better life for himself and his family.  Settling in Naugatuck, Jusufi began a landscaping and masonry business and later, took on a second job as a tankless water heater technician.  He believes in hard work, “It’s the only way you can succeed,” according to Jusufi.

This week, the 31-year old Jusufi experienced a second life changing event when he became the state’s newest CT Lottery millionaire, winning $2 million, all because of a lucky win on a “Big Money” instant lottery ticket. Jusufi told lottery officials that he played the Lottery's $20 instant game, Big Money, because of the number of top prizes remaining to be claimed.  “I saw that there were eight top prizes left, so I thought it made sense to play it.”

Jusufi has big plans to put his Big Money prize payment of $792,414 (the prize value after taxes) to good use by purchasing new equipment for his landscaping and masonry business, and perhaps investing in a restaurant.  "We've been through some tough financial times this past year, so this money is a blessing," Jusufi told Lottery officials.

Big Money’s top prize is payable as a 20-year annuity or as a one-time cash lump-sum equivalent.  Jusufi, the third top prize winner in the Big Money game, chose to take the lump sum payment.  Previous top prize winners in the game include Rita Bennett of Willington and Arthur Wargo of Norwalk.

For selling Jusufi a top prize winning ticket, Gas N Food Sunoco located on 2 River Road in Wallingford will receive a $20,000 bonus check from the CT Lottery.