Winner of historic $2B Powerball sued by man who claims ticket was stolen from him

The winner of California’s document $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot final 12 months is being sued by a person who claims the ticket was stolen from him earlier than the successful numbers had been revealed.

Edwin Castro received the record-setting prize within the November draw and was recognized in February. On the time, he stated he was “shocked and ecstatic” and selected to simply accept the jackpot in a lump sum cost of $997.6 million. 

The identical month he was recognized, a person named Jose Rivera filed a civil criticism in Alhambra Superior Courtroom claiming the jackpot must be his. 

The swimsuit was filed towards Castro, the California State Lottery Fee, the state of California and a person named Urachi F. Romero, whom Rivera accused of taking his ticket. 

Rivera bought a lottery ticket for the $2.04 billion Powerball on Nov. 7 at Joe’s Service Middle in Altadena, California, someday earlier than the draw, in accordance with the criticism.

However that very same day, Rivera alleges Romero stole the ticket. The criticism didn’t element how the alleged theft occur.

After the ticket was allegedly stolen, Rivera made “quite a few requests and calls for to return it,” however Romero refused, in accordance with the criticism. 

On Nov. 8, the successful numbers had been drawn and Rivera made renewed requests for Romero to return the ticket. However, Romero allegedly responded by saying “the ticket was a loser or if I discover the ticket we will break up the winnings 50/50,” the criticism stated.

Rivera reported the alleged theft to California Lottery and regulation enforcement, in accordance with court docket paperwork.

On Feb. 14, the California State Lottery Fee and the state of California introduced Castro was the winner of the Powerball. Lottery officers stated they adopted a vetting course of to guarantee the ticket and declare had been authentic.

Rivera introduced a declare kind to California Lottery in Santa Fe Springs three days later claiming his ticket was stolen. 

That very same day, his counsel despatched a letter to California Lottery claiming the successful ticket was stolen from Rivera.

“Up till the announcement on February 14, 2023, Mr. Rivera had been threatened that his successful ticket could be destroyed if he didn’t agree to separate the winnings,” the letter stated. 

The criticism stated Rivera requested that California Lottery protect all footage depicting the successful ticket being bought at Joe’s Service Middle. 

Rivera says he’s entitled to the jackpot, claiming he suffered emotional damages, trespass to chattel (that means use of property with out an proprietor’s permission) and intentional interference with potential financial relations within the alleged ordeal. 

California Lottery stated it doesn’t touch upon pending litigation however expressed “utmost confidence” within the group’s vetting course of for winners.

“California Lottery stays assured that Edwin Castro is the rightful winner of the $2.04 billion prize stemming from the Powerball drawing in November of 2022,” stated Carolyn Becker, state lottery deputy director and spokesperson.

A summons was served April 25 at a sprawling $25.5 million Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, dwelling that was bought in March, in accordance with on-line data. 

However the individual on the dwelling allegedly instructed course of servers that “we’re serving the mistaken Edwin Castro,” in accordance with a Could 17 submitting. 

On Thursday, a movement to quash service of summons was filed by an legal professional for Castro. It stated that the summons was issued to Edwin H. Castro — the daddy of the particular Powerball winner.

A declaration connected to the movement by Castro stated he has by no means personally been issued a summons. He acknowledged that the L.A. dwelling his father was served at was his. He didn’t deal with the claims relating to the ticket in his submitting.

A listening to is about for July 19 on that movement.