“power ball”
Two billion dollars: Lot for record profit is said to have been stolen from another man before
The raffle ticket to the winner Edwin Castro
© Adam Beam / Picture Alliance
It was one of the largest lottery wins in US history: Edwin Castro netted two billion US dollars. Now he is accused of not having bought the lucky ticket legally.
It was an extremely lucky strike: last November in California, a man won a total of two billion US dollars (approx. 1.8 billion euros) in the Powerball lottery. A sum that is more than enough, even if – as in the USA – taxes are still deducted and the lottery company charges fees if the win is desired in a single payout. In the case of Edwin Castro, there was “at least” a whopping $997.6 million left.
What sounds like a fairytale story, however, is developing into a thriller. Because another man named Jose Rivera now claims that the winning lottery ticket was actually his. He bought it, then it was stolen from him. However, not by Edwin Castro – a man who has since been identified by Rivera as Urachi F. Romero was said to have been the thief. Rivera, who also lives in California, now complains: If the alleged theft hadn’t happened, it would now be $997.6 million more expensive.
Lottery win: Was the ticket stolen?
The allegedly robbed person is certain that the theft must be seen on the surveillance cameras of a kiosk, and he now wants his lawyer to evaluate them. While Rivera therefore filed a lawsuit, the lottery judges the events described to be rather implausible. All potential winners are thoroughly screened, it said, and the company has “complete confidence in its methods of doing so.” In addition, the plaintiff could not explain how Edwin Castro came to the lot in the end.
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He has not yet commented on the allegations, but is now waiting to see what the court has to say about it. However, the operator of the gas station where he is said to have bought the lucky ticket remembers him well: “He came every morning to buy coffee, donuts and tickets.” This also speaks more against the theft narrative.
Incidentally, Castro had treated himself to something from his winnings that seems almost modest compared to the massive sum: a white 1964 Porsche 911. However, he also bought two luxurious villas in California – one with a wine cellar and infinity pool.