After buying the ticket at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, Edwin Castro was declared the winner by the California Powerball Lottery in February.
Up until that point, the greatest lottery win was the $2.04 billion Powerball prize that was drawn on November 8, 2022. A guy who claims he possessed the winning ticket but it was stolen has filed a new lawsuit against the state of California, the state lottery, and the recipient of the highest lottery prize ever.
Dispute Arises Over Record-Breaking Powerball Jackpot Winner
Castro stated at the time that he want to stay anonymous and did not want to appear in public.
Joe Chahayed, the company’s owner, is carrying a check as he stands in front of Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, northeast of Los Angeles, on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
However, a lawsuit brought by Jose Rivera claims that Rivera was the legitimate recipient of the illustrious award and names the CA State Lottery Commission, the State of California, Edwin Castro, and Urachi Romero as defendants.
According to the lawsuit, Rivera bought the ticket on November 7 for the drawing that was set for that day. Actually, the drawing was held on November 8.
Prior to the drawing on November 7, a ticket was allegedly stolen by a man named Reggie, who was later identified as Urachi Romero in a court document.
According to the lawsuit, Rivera informed the California Lottery and police enforcement about the theft.
The lottery, according to Rivera, has not reacted to his claims that he is the legal owner of the ticket as of yet.
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Winner Faces Lawsuit
Castro, who chose to take the jackpot payment in one lump amount and is expected to earn $997.6 million, made this decision.
It is unclear from the lawsuit how Romero and Castro are said to be acquainted or how the theft was committed.
The winner utilized the winnings to buy two multimillion-dollar mansions, one of which is a 13,500 square foot mansion with a game room, wine cellar, movie theater, bar, infinity pool, spa, and fitness studio with hot and cold plunge pools.
The other home is a five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom house.
Castro has also added at least one opulent new vehicle to his collection to match his increase in income: a vintage, white $250,000 Porsche.
Three guards alternately watch over him and his residence all the time. Since then, Castro has had the support of the California Lottery.
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