By The newspaper
Dec 27, 2023, 2:37 PM EST
Edwin Castro, publicly identified as the winner of the $2 billion Powerball in California, allowed himself to be guided by God to obtain the prize.
At least that’s what a supposed source close to the Hispanic told the New York Post.
“God gave it to him (the profit) because he knew (that Castro) would be a good administrator and would use it to help others,” the person declared to the local media.
Regarding the lawsuit against Castro filed by José Rivera, the source limited himself to pointing out that the billionaire is not willing to settle and pay the plaintiff.
“He could give any amount to get out of the lawsuit, but that’s what they want,” the source added.
“But if you do that, you are open to anyone coming to you with their hands outstretched,” he pointed out.
The person familiar with the actions taken by Castro assured that he is calm despite the legal dispute that is being heard in the Alhambra Court.
The reports that have emerged about the investments that Castro has made with the money are limited to luxury cars such as Porsches and three mansions. The aforementioned media reported in the middle of this month that Castro traveled to the Fiji Islands with a group of friends just after claiming some $997.6 million of the prize in cash. It is not clear if the Hispanic has allocated any of the money to charitable causes.
However, more than a year after the prize drawing was held (on November 8), the largest in the history of lottery games in the United States, Castro has still not expressed himself publicly about the win and the demand.
The information that has circulated in the media about Castro has been minimal and provided, either by his lawyer David De Paoli or sources who did not want to identify themselves.
Rivera, who alleges in the appeal that Castro collected the money for the ticket stolen by his former landlord Urachi F. Romero, told The US Sun that he will fight until the end to prove that he is the holder of the ticket.
“This is a war and I am going to fight it. If God wants me in jail for my ticket, ah well, that’s what he wants. But I am going to fight until the end,” said the plaintiff according to an article published at the beginning of the month.
It should be noted that the court is evaluating a motion in which Estela Richeda, Rivera’s lawyer, asks to be removed from the case due to irreconcilable problems in the attorney-client relationship and ethical considerations.
Rivera was accused of filing a false theft report with Pasadena police.
The California Lottery has remained steadfast and “confident” that Castro is the rightful winner.
Carolyn Becker, a spokesperson for the entity, told the NYP that they obtained the video from the Joe’s Service Center business in Altadena, where the ticket was purchased, which reveals who bought the ticket.
However, the official added that they cannot comment on the content or disclose it publicly because the case remains in litigation.
Keep reading:
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Edwin Castro, winner of the $2 billion Powerball in California, escaped with friends to the Fiji Islands