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In November last year, the biggest lottery prize ever was hit, a staggering $2.04 billion jackpot from Powerball, the famous lottery game available across the United States. The life-changing and record Powerball prize was claimed a few months earlier, in February by a person named Edwin G. Castro. Announced on February 14, 2023, he was designated as the winner of the biggest lottery jackpot prize from Powerball.

Yet, after seeing Castro claim the jackpot, a person under the initials J.R. filed a lawsuit with the Alhambra Superior Court against the California State Lottery Commission, claiming that he was the lawful winner of the lottery prize. Although his initial claim was denied on the grounds that Castro was the rightful winner as announced on February 14, now, the plaintiff is claiming that he is receiving death threats, a report released by the Pasadena Star-News reveals.

In an amended lawsuit by J.R., he claimed that he received death threats after his claims that he was the lawful winner of the ticket. Moreover, in light of the death threats, the person said that he fears for his life and the lives of his family which pushed him to quit his job as a gardener.

“The plaintiff has received anonymous death threats for claiming that he is the rightful winner of the ticket and he been forced to leave his work as a gardener because of the risk to the security of his family and himself,“
reads the amended lawsuit filed by J.R.

Lawsuit Claims the Winning Powerball Ticket Was Stolen

In his lawsuit, J.R. alleges that he purchased the winning lottery ticket from Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, a day before the Powerball drawing. The plaintiff claimed that this winning ticket was stolen by a person named “Reggie.” That person is later on identified in the court papers as an individual with the initials U.F.R.

Initially, J.R. went to the Pasadena police with his lawyer but was told that they were anticipating an investigation by the Lottery Commission. While this happened back in February, in April, J.R. was reportedly told by police that his case was “pending,” as confirmed by the updated lawsuit.

J.R. alleged that he asked Castro to return the ticket many times. The lawsuit alleges that the announced winner refused to give the ticket back and proposed J.R. to split the winnings if he found it. The legal claim doesn’t explain how the person with the initials U.F.R. transferred the ticket to Castro. This was spotted by Castro’s attorneys who said that there is no evidence that supports any such interaction and transferring of the winning Powerball ticket.

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Jerome García

Journalist

Jerome is a welcome new addition to the Gambling News team, bringing years of journalistic experience within the iGaming sector. His interest in the industry begun after he graduated from college where he played in regular local poker tournaments which eventually lead to exposure towards the growing popularity of online poker and casino rooms. Jerome now puts all the knowledge he's accrued to fuel his passion for journalism, providing our team with the latest scoops online.

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22 Comments

Johnny Espinoza
September 20, 2023 at 2:49 pm

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As fate would have it the ticket would not be a winner is things didn’t go the way they did. So time to move on
And see what the future holds for both of these ppl. Someone out might not be good.
Justine
September 20, 2023 at 5:02 pm

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Can’t they just look at the camera of the store where the plaintiff said he purchased it. Also the cameras of the store where the alleged winner supposedly brought it? Also if the person claiming to win was smart he would record all phone conversations.
- Mary mcnerney
  September 20, 2023 at 7:22 pm
  
  The lottery based their findings on the camera footage of Castro buying the winning ticket himself. At least that’s what I got from what I read. Even when there is no discrepancy they check the video footage when a winning ticket is claimed.
- Bonnie
  September 20, 2023 at 7:34 pm
  
  That would make perfect sense, but we don’t live in a perfect world. Cameras and Videos are a way to prove or disprove. Thank you great question.
Mike
September 20, 2023 at 5:03 pm

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Did this person SIGN the ticket when he found out he won? If not why not?
- Mary mcnerney
  September 20, 2023 at 7:23 pm
  
  Right ? I sign my tickets before the drawing lol of course I’ve never won so it’s never mattered.
Mike
September 20, 2023 at 5:50 pm

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Stop it people. The rightful owner will collect his GOD Gift. You peoples think California Lottery working Engineers is Stupid to Award 997 Mils to a wrong guy. Go home leave the Winner Alone.
- Allen
  September 21, 2023 at 12:07 am
  
  Why must you reference GOD on a gambling feed. This is not the place to let everyone be aware of your religious fanactical choice to try and force others to have to endure your belief that
  “GOD’S GIFT” has a GODAMN thing to do with something that gives humans a false sense of salvation
- Christopher
  September 21, 2023 at 1:29 am
  
  Yes….. yes we actually do cause know matter what they are still part of the government so yeah I do think there that stupid and petty you know why cuz they don’t care cuz either way they’re getting their portion of the money so
Roberta
September 20, 2023 at 5:54 pm

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How did he get the ticket this is why they say you should sign the back of your tickets when you buy them.
Jemal P.
September 20, 2023 at 6:43 pm

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If he is truly the person that purchased that ticket, there should be surveillance showing what time, and the place where he brought it, at least it’s an argument he can present to the courts and if he proves that, he should be able to file a criminal complaint among other things against this person but honestly, it’s messed up how money will make people show their ugly side not caring what’s true or not. If the person that claimed the prize know that he’s not the person that purchased that ticket and it shows that he’s not, he should give it to it’s rightful owner not trying to compromise by saying let’s split the prize money, that in itself is an admission of guilt if you really look at it, if he’s the rightful owner, he shouldn’t want split anything because it’s his, was there a pool on the winning ticket, questions need to be asked
Liz
September 20, 2023 at 7:04 pm

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For one have how do they know each other, two, look like the store should’ve have surveillance camera that tell who brought. The tickets that day Just solve the problem split the winner
SW
September 20, 2023 at 7:18 pm

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Turn Camera back if they still got the video from that far back he needs to move on East Coast!!!❣️and just LIVE…..
Jesse Cutler
September 20, 2023 at 7:22 pm

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Lunacy, Insanity, and Jealousy is obviously in the Air. Yes Check the video of the store to see who bought that ticket
Lucy
September 20, 2023 at 7:31 pm

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God sees everything and if that guy did steal the ticket the truth will come out! Karma is no joke people. I hope the real winner gets the money he won! ✌️🙏
- Raymond
  September 21, 2023 at 12:35 am
  
  There’s enough money to have them split it in half and they can both live happily ever after? You can live off of 2 million a yr live off interest i.e. 1mm x 5% interest = 500,000 yr to live on?
CHEFGOODNITE
September 20, 2023 at 7:34 pm

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Go back to when the ticket was brought, the camera will tell you, who and when, and time it was brought!!!!
Brian Bodeman
September 20, 2023 at 9:22 pm

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I signed every one before the draw
Elio Torrealba
September 20, 2023 at 9:56 pm

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Is it possible to look at the time and day when the ticket was purchased and try to see who shows in the camera at the store buying that ticket on that date and time?
Bill
September 20, 2023 at 10:12 pm

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The date and time the ticket was bought is on it. Ck the video they can find out in minutes
Rose Valente
September 21, 2023 at 12:04 am

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why is there any question as to who the winner is then??
F.D.A
September 21, 2023 at 12:52 am

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Leave the winner alone and let him enjoy his wealth

Stolen $2bn Powerball Ticket Plaintiff Faces Death Threats

Lawsuit Claims the Winning Powerball Ticket Was Stolen

Jerome García

22 Comments

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