Lawyer says Edwin Castro is the rightful winner of $2.08 billion Powerball tournament, video proves it
Edwin Castro, the winner of the largest lottery jackpot ever, watched security video of customers buying historic Powerball tickets, his attorney said. David De Paoli believes the video will stop a lawsuit from Jose Rivera, who claims to be the rightful recipient of the $2.08 billion prize.
Rivera sued Castro in February 2023, a week after he won the award. The plaintiff claims he purchased the ticket at Joe's Service Center in Altadena, California, on November 7, 2022, but the lawsuit alleges the ticket was stolen by his former landlord, Urachi F. "Reggie" Romero. Rivera claimed he did not know Castro and had no idea how the ticket came into his possession.
According to DePaoli, the California Lottery has footage of Castro purchasing lottery tickets at Joe's Service Center, but it has not yet been released publicly.
"I personally watched the CCTV footage and it was crystal clear," the lawyer told The Sun. "There is no question that Edwin Castro purchased the winning Powerball ticket."
Unbelievable statement?
Rivera's account seemed to gain credibility in May, when Romero told the New York Post that he believed his tenant had the winning ticket, although he denied stealing it.
I asked him why he chose two tens. He said this was the date his parents died. He chose 47 because that's his age," Romero told The Post. "He also said his father always wanted a 1956 Chevy truck, so he chose 56. He chose every number for a reason, and he told me that before [the drawing]. "
The California Lottery initially said it believed Castro was the true winner but added that it had "no authority to investigate criminal activity by its players."
Last June, Pasadena police confirmed they had reopened a formal investigation into the matter after initially closing it and were working closely with California Lottery investigators.
Rivera charged
Last week, authorities formally charged Rivera with filing a false police report. He is scheduled to stand trial in Pasadena on December 1, 2023, The Sun reported.
Meanwhile, Castro was busy collecting luxury cars and real estate. He currently owns a white 1980s Porsche 911, a gray Ram 1500 TRX, and three Volkswagen Karmann Ghias (two black and one red). Among his recent car purchases, he also purchased a 1970s British racing green Porsche 356 and a black 1980s Porsche 911, the Daily Mail reported.
He purchased three new homes, including a $25 million estate in the Hollywood Hills and a larger $47 million estate in Bel Air.
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Source: www.casino.org
