$2B Powerball winner Edwin Castro served papers at $25M Calif. mansion in suit claiming ticket was stolen

The California Powerball winner who landed a $2 billion jackpot final 12 months was served authorized papers at his $25.5 million Hollywood Hills property in a suit claiming the ticket was stolen, in response to a report.

A pair of course of servers arrived on April 25 at fortunate lottery billionaire Edwin Castro’s palatial property — the place facilities embody seven bedrooms, an infinity pool and a spa — and had been greeted by a person in his 50s who initially tried to dodge being hit with the suit, The Sun reported, citing court docket filings.

“The subject said we are serving the wrong Edwin Castro,” the papers mentioned. “I advised the subject to contact the attorney if any questions or concerns.”

A proof of service was ultimately filed on May 17, saying {that a} man at the dear digs ultimately took the papers, thus formally giving discover.

The suit towards Castro, which was first filed earlier this 12 months, claims he’s not the rightful winner, because the ticket was purchased by plaintiff Jose Rivera and shortly stolen from him.

Rivera claims he was the one who purchased the dear stub at a fuel station in Altadena the day earlier than the November 8 drawing, which was value a record-setting $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot.

Rivera claims it was nabbed by a person known as “Reggie” that very same day — who has since been recognized as Urachi F. Romero and is listed as a co-defendant in the Alhambra Superior Court case.

The grievance, nonetheless, reportedly doesn’t clarify the circumstances of the alleged theft, together with how the ticket might have gotten from Romero to Castro.

Romero allegedly refused Rivera’s calls for that he return the ticket, as a substitute claiming to have misplaced it, however supplied to separate the winnings ought to he ultimately discover it.

Riveria claims he “refused to be blackmailed” and reported the alleged theft to the fee and to legislation enforcement.

The plaintiff believes the proof lies in surveillance footage taken at the station, Joe’s Service Center, which he claims proves he was the one who purchased the historic 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,” a letter submitted to the California Lottery by Riveria’s authorized group mentioned.

“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.”

The lawsuit was initially filed in February when Castro lastly got here ahead and took residence the lump-sum money fee of $997.6 million.

The winner used the cash to purchase two multi-million greenback houses — one in every of which is a 13,500 square-foot mansion that features a recreation room, wine cellar, movie show, bar, infinity pool, spa and a health studio with cold and hot plunge swimming pools.

Castro has additionally bought at least one lavish new whip to match his revenue increase — a classic, white $250,000 Porsche.

He has a rotation of three guards who defend him and his residence across the clock.

The California Lottery has stood behind Castro since.

“When it comes to the vetting process for big winners, California Lottery has the utmost confidence in its process for doing so,” a spokesperson mentioned at the time.

“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.”