Last November the California Lottery announced the US$2.04 billion Powerball jackpot had been won, the largest jackpot ever awarded in the US..The winner, Edwin Castro, laid low until February when he finally came forward to claim the prize, settling for a one-time lump-sum payout of US$997.6 million..But now, another California man, Jose Rivera, says he’s the rightful winner and is suing Castro, claiming he was blackmailed and was falsely told the ticket he said he purchased was a loser..In the suit, Rivera says a man identified as ‘Reggie,’ whose real name is Urachi F. Romero, allegedly “stole” the ticket and “refused” to return it despite Rivera’s requests, reports The New York Post. .Rivera claims he asked ‘Reggie’ numerous times to hand over the ticket once the winning numbers were revealed, but ‘Reggie’ told Rivera “the ticket was a loser” and “if I find the ticket, we can split the winnings 50/50,” the suit states..Rivera says he reported the theft to police and the California Lottery, repeatedly trying to notify the agency of his concerns, believing store surveillance images will prove his case and requesting the agency “make available for our review all video depicting the purchase of the winning ticket.”.“In an effort to hopefully reach a prompt resolution of this matter involving the rightful owner of the $2.04 Billion Powerball winning ticket, our client, Jose Rivera, again requests the ‘Lottery’ make available for our review all video depicting the purchase of the winning ticket,” said a letter submitted to the California Lottery by Rivera’s legal team..“We understand the ‘Lottery’ took possession of the video shortly after it was determined the winning ticket was sold at Joe’s Service Station in Altadena, California.”.But the California Lottery says it “remains confident that Edwin Castro is the rightful winner.”.Meanwhile, Castro bought two multi-million-dollar homes in California and a vintage Porsche convertible worth US$250,000.. Edwin Castro's new digsEdwin Castro's new digs .One of the homes, worth US$25.5 million, in the Hollywood Hills, includes seven bedrooms, an infinity pool and spa and it’s at the home where the plot takes another twist..A pair of process servers arrived on April 25 at the palatial estate to serve Rivera’s suit to Castro. They were greeted by a man in his 50s who initially tried to dodge the suit, the US Sun reported, citing court filings. The man’s name is Edwin Castro, the same name as his son, the lottery winner, although their middle initials differ, says The Post, so the Rivera legal team mistakenly served Castro Sr..Castro the younger has filed a motion that denies he was properly served papers related to the suit..“The Edwin Castro served was not the winner of the Powerball jackpot referenced in the complaint,” his motion states.But proof of service was eventually filed on May 17, saying a man at the pricey digs eventually took the papers, thus officially giving notice, says The Post..The complaint, however, reportedly does not explain the circumstances of the alleged theft, including how the ticket may have gotten from Romero to Castro..The New York Post reports Castro Jr. has a rotation of three guards who protect him and his home around the clock..The California Lottery continues to stand behind the winner..“When it comes to the vetting process for big winners, California Lottery has the utmost confidence in its process for doing so,” a spokesperson said..“California Lottery remains confident that Edwin Castro is the rightful winner of the $2.04 billion prize stemming from the Powerball drawing in November of 2022.”
