2.04 billion released – now he has a lawsuit around his neck: US lottery winner allegedly stole lucky ticket

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Since November 2022, the life motto of Powerball winner Edwin Castro (30) has been: endless luxury. That was demonstrated in March when the newly minted American billionaire bought two luxury properties in one month, including his $25.5 million mansion in the Hollywood Hills.

However, this could soon be over, writes the “New York Post”. At the end of April, he faced a lawsuit. The accusations are harsh. In it, a man named Jose Rivera accuses him of stealing the winning ticket from him. Reportedly, an accomplice named “Reggie” stole the ticket. Surveillance cameras on site should prove this.

Thief would have offered to share the profit

Rivera asked Urachi R.* aka “Reggie” to return the note to him – unsuccessfully. R. claimed to have lost the lot, according to the lawsuit. Instead of handing him the ticket, he offered to share the winnings. But Rivera was not deterred by this: he went to the police and reported the theft.

According to Rivera, surveillance footage at the point of sale can confirm his version of the story. “Hoping to find a speedy resolution to this matter, our client Jose Rivera is again asking the lottery to provide videos showing the purchase of the prize for our review,” Rivera’s attorney wrote in a letter to the lottery.

The lottery company supports Castro

However, Castro was a regular at the store: “I knew the guy before he won, he came every morning to buy coffee, donuts and tickets – then suddenly he was gone,” said the store owner. He stopped coming from one day to the next. “But then someone told me he won the money.”

The California lottery company stands by the billionaire: “California Lottery remains confident that Edwin Castro is the legitimate winner of the $2.04 billion prize from the November 2022 drawing.” (lia)

* Name known

Source: Blick