The ongoing legal saga surrounding the $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot has taken a new turn as Edwin Castro’s lawyer, David De Paoli, claims to have watched CCTV footage confirming his client’s legitimate purchase of the winning ticket. The high-stakes dispute began when Jose Rivera filed a lawsuit, alleging that he initially bought the ticket and it was later stolen by his landlord, Urachi “Reggie” Romero, only to surface in Castro’s possession.

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Edwin Castro’s life changed dramatically after winning the massive sum last November. However, Rivera’s lawsuit has injected uncertainty into the rightful ownership of the coveted ticket, prompting a legal showdown.

The California State Lottery Commission possesses video evidence of the ticket’s purchase at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, yet they have not released it publicly. In a recent statement to the US Sun, De Paoli affirmed, “I have personally viewed the CCTV footage, and it is crystal clear. Edwin Castro purchased the winning Powerball ticket without question.”

Despite Rivera facing charges of filing a false police report with Pasadena police over the case, the legal battle persists. Rivera asserted that he purchased the ticket from a California store before it was allegedly stolen by Romero and ultimately landed in Castro’s hands.

Rivera’s impending arraignment on December 1 adds a layer of complexity to the case. His lawyers, however, maintain their client’s innocence, refuting any wrongdoing even before the charge was filed.

The California Lottery Commission has consistently sided with Castro, affirming that their vetting process for big winners is robust. Carolyn Becker, a spokesperson for the commission, stated, “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.”

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Edwin Castro opted for a lump-sum payment of $997.6 million, a decision that fueled the legal challenge initiated by Rivera. The civil case is scheduled to continue into next February, keeping the public on edge as the legal system unravels the complexities of this high-profile Powerball dispute.