New York – A Harlem man who works at Madison Square Garden won half of the $336 million Mega Millions lottery prize from the Aug. 28 drawing, according to a report in The New York Post.

The report said James “Jimmy” Groves, 49, told the newspaper he won the prize, which lottery officials told him is worth $168 million. However, New York sate lottery officials refused to confirm whether Groves is the winner, the report said.

“It feels great!” said Groves, near his home in the crime-riddled Grant Houses. “I’m going to Disney World!

“I was down and out, and I didn’t have a dime in my pocket. I asked for a lottery ticket, in 26 installment payments. And the next day, I won $166 million.

“Then the lottery people called me back and told me it was [actually] $168 million,” said the father of two, who has not been publicly confirmed by lottery officials as the winner.

Groves has yet to collect on what would be yearly payments of $6.47 million before taxes. But he is already learning that with all that money comes mighty big headaches.

He said that since telling family and pals he won, he’s been fielding up to 40 calls each morning from friends, acquaintances and others begging for cash.

“It’s hectic,” said Groves, who had been working the midnight shift at Madison Square Garden stacking chairs. “I wake up every morning, and everyone is on me.

“Right now, I’m frustrated. I feel like my family is in a position of jeopardy,” he said. “This is a dangerous neighborhood.

Groves was admittedly living “paycheck to paycheck” before the drawing and could definitely use the money.

The winning ticket was bought at Fordham Grocery and Convenience Store in The Bronx and bore the numbers 1-17-31-37-54, with the Mega Ball 31.

The other winner of the jackpot — the second largest in Mega Millions history — bought that ticket in California.

“I can’t confirm anything until we actually have a public check presentation. We’re in the process of putting together a date, a place or time that works for everybody,” said Lottery spokeswoman Carolyn Hapeman.

(Source: NY Post)