09 June 2023 , 20:03
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Back in February, Edwin Castro stepped forward to claim the largest lottery jackpot in history - a $2.04 billion Powerball prize.
As soon as he did, a whirlwind of legal proceedings erupted.
Jose Rivera filed a suit with the Alhambra Superior Court against the declared winner, claiming that he and Urachi F Romero, formerly identified as 'Reggie,' stole the winning ticket from him and that he was entitled to the money.
Those proceedings, which have been developing for several months, might now culminate in Mr Castro being charged with simple petty theft, a misdemeanour.
In February, Mr Rivera claimed that Mr Romero, Mr Rivera's former landlord, stole a $10 ticket Mr Rivera bought from Joe's Service Center, an auto repair shop in Altadena, California, back in November 2022.
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When Mr Rivera asked for the ticket back, Mr Romero allegedly blackmailed Mr Rivera, telling him that they could split the earnings, according to court documents seen by TMZ.
Edwin was seen enjoying another luxury perk, racing around Los Angeles with a male friend in his $250,000 vintage Porsche 911 (Diggzy/Jesal / SplashNews.com)It is not clear from the legal papers how it is claimed Mr Romero and Mr Castro are linked, nor how Mr Castro came to acquire the ticket from Mr Romero.
The California Lottery are steadfastly standing behind Mr Castro, however, and a spokesperson said the organisation has the "utmost confidence" in its vetting process for winners.
That announcement prompted Mr Rivera to demand footage of Mr Castro purchasing the ticket.
That footage has not yet been seen, said Mr Rivera's lawyers.
On Wednesday, the Pasadena police announced that an investigation had been opened into the alleged theft.
But it would be labeled a petty theft, since the value of the ticket was only $10, according to City of Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian, who confirmed the news to The Sun.
She said no Thursday: "The Pasadena Police Department, in coordination with Lottery Investigators, are actively looking into these claims.
"As far as Pasadena Police, it is classified as petty theft because the lottery ticket cost ticket $10."
That decision seemed to confirm that the ticket's value is not related to the winnings it led to — it's only worth the $10 paid to obtain it.
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If convicted, Castro could be sentenced to no more than six months in jail or have to pay a fine not to exceed $1,000.
Mr Rivera's lawyers had to push the Pasadena Police Department to open the investigation.
"On March 22, 2023, based on the prior nonaction or dismissive action by the PPD when our Jose Rivera went alone, we insisted on a personal meeting with the PPD," Mr Rivera's lawyer Estela Richeda said. "Myself, co-counsel Brian Kramer, and Jose Rivera made an hour recorded statement to them and insisted that the report be lodged, and investigation be started."
On April 26, they were informed that Corporal David Duran would be leading the investigation.
The case is still developing.