A LUCKY lottery winner who scooped the world’s biggest jackpot of $2 billion now has to face a lawsuit.
Edwin Castro, 30, who became a billionaire overnight after hitting the jaw-dropping jackpot on the Powerball, is now being sued by a man who claims his lottery ticket was stolen.
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After winning the biggest lottery prize in history last year, Castro has splashed out on a lavish $25.5 million mansion and a $250,000 (£200k) vintage Porsche.
According to the real estate news website Dirt the stunning property has 13,000 feet of living space, five bedrooms, and six bathrooms.
It also comes with a plunge pool, movie theater, wine cellar, sauna, and rooftop deck.
The lucky winner was pictured smiling as he went to the bank to make a withdrawal last week.
Edwin who was described by TMZ as a “quiet guy with a kind heart” has had a complete change of lifestyle from his one-bedroom home to a $ 25.5 million Hollywood mansion.
But his incredible win might be turning into a nightmare, as he is now being sued over the winning ticket.
He bought the ticket at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena but according to legal documents obtained by TMZ Jose Rivera also bought a ticket from the same store on November 7.
Rivera has alleged that a man known as “Reggie” stole the ticket from him.
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He claimed that Reggie’s ticket contained the winning numbers, but he said it wasn’t a winner.
Rivera alleged that Reggie told him he would only hand the ticket over if the winnings were split equally.
He reported the alleged theft to cops and the California Lottery.
California Lottery officials remain confident that Castro is the “rightful winner” of the massive prize.
A spokesperson told TMZ: “Further, when it comes to the vetting process for big winners, California Lottery has the utmost confidence in its process for doing so.
“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.”
Officials announced Castro had won – more than three months after he bought the winning ticket.
The 30-year-old did not attend his presentation but said in a statement that he was “shocked and ecstatic” from the huge win.
He said: “As someone who received the rewards of being educated in the California public education system it’s gratifying to hear that as a result of my win, the California school system greatly benefits as well.”
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