The record-breaking $2.04 billion Powerball prize has a rightful winner, according to the California Lottery, after a guy claimed he possessed the winning ticket before it was stolen from him.
Los Angeles County Superior Court that he bought the winning ticket at Joe's Service Center in Altadena the day before the drawing, but that "Reggie," a defendant in the action, stole it the same day.
In response to Rivera's assertion that he is the lottery winner, state officials reiterated that Edwin Castro is the rightful winner.
California Lottery spokesperson Carolyn Becker told ABC News in a statement that the organisation has "the utmost trust in its process for doing so" when it comes to screening huge wins.
"California Lottery continues to be confident that Edwin Castro is the legitimate recipient of the $2.04 billion prize from the Powerball drawing held in November 2022," the lottery company stated.
After the winning numbers were revealed, Rivera allegedly begged Reggie to return the ticket to him, but he refused, saying that Reggie was attempting to blackmail him into splitting the cash 50/50.
According to the lawsuit, Rivera claimed that Reggie, a fictional name, did not know his real identity.
Castro purchased the winning ticket at Joe's Service Center before the drawing on November 8 and the California Lottery announced that he had won $2.04 billion.
After learning that Castro was the winner, the lawsuit claims that Rivera filed a claim with the California Lottery, claiming that his ticket had been stolen and that the California Lottery and the police should look into Castro's win.