Lottery Group Wants Out of Fight Over $1.08B Powerball Win

The group that runs Powerball is asking a Los Angeles judge to take it off a big lawsuit. A woman sued, saying she should have won a $1.08 billion jackpot from a 2023 draw. However, someone else already got the prize.

Powerball Operator Says No Contract Exists in $1B Jackpot Dispute

The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) helps state lotteries run big games like Powerball. MUSL told the court it has no deal with the woman suing, Stacy Tru. MUSL says Tru’s claims do not hold up and should not go forward against them, as reported by My News LA.

Tru filed her lawsuit in January 2025, suing both MUSL and the California Lottery. She claims she owned the winning ticket from the July 19, 2023, draw and wants the full jackpot amount, plus interest from October 2023 when she says they turned down her prize claim.

MUSL’s motion deals with its own part in the case, saying it does not sell tickets, check winners, or make deals with players. Its lawyers say Tru has not shown any clear or implied contract between her and the association. The filing also points out that the court has already let Tru change her complaint several times, but her arguments stay the same and lack support.

The lawsuit has caught people’s attention, due to Tru’s public appearance right after the draw. The day following the number announcement, she showed up at the Los Angeles convenience store that sold the ticket. She celebrated in front of TV cameras and hinted she had won. The footage spread like wildfire online, sparking gossip before lottery officials confirmed a winner.

Lottery Officials Stand by Ticket Rules

A few months down the line, the jackpot went to Yanira Alvarez, who was confirmed to have the actual winning ticket. Alvarez opted for the one-time payment, getting $558.1 million before taxes instead of the full yearly payout linked to the advertised jackpot amount. Lottery officials have always stressed that having the original ticket is the only thing that proves ownership under Powerball rules.

Family members of the store owner earlier questioned Tru’s claim, hinting she sought media spotlight rather than winning. The store owner also did not recognize her as someone who shopped there often. Following the event, Tru marketed herself online as a rich do-gooder and speaker, but her website no longer exists.

In its legal papers, MUSL stresses it knows nothing about any deal with Tru and argues her claims for damages over $1 billion lack solid ground.A court date to consider MUSL’s request to drop out of the case is set for March 17. The lawsuit against the California Lottery continues.