US mega-Powerball winner Edwin Castro’s lawyer claims to have viewed bombshell CCTV footage that proves he is the rightful jackpot winner after he was accused of stealing his victorious ticket.
Edwin Castro, 31, has been entangled in a bizarre legal battle with a man named Jose Rivera since last year, with Rivera alleging he bought the ticket at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California.
As reported by The Sun US, He claimed his former landlord Urachi F. Romero stole it before Castro was announced as the winner in February following the November 2022 draw.
Romero stood by Rivera’s claim he purchased the ticket but insisted he had no idea where it had ended up, while Castro’s lawyer insisted his client had no ties to either of the men.
Security footage of Castro allegedly buying the ticket was taken from the gas station by the California Lottery Commission before the civil lawsuit was filed.
For months, his lawyer has been asking to view the video which could clear Castro’s name and it is yet to be released publicly despite attempts by The US Sun to obtain the footage.
Lawyer David DePaoli has now given an exclusive update, claiming he has been in contact with the Lottery Commission and was finally able to view the video.
He said on Monday: “I have personally viewed the CCTV footage and it is crystal clear. Edwin Castro purchased the winning Powerball ticket without question.”
His lawyer’s statement comes as Jose Rivera has now been charged with filing a false police report and is set to appear in court on December 1 after Pasadena Police turned the tables on him.
The department believes that Rivera was wasting their time and resources on a frivolous claim, which his lawyer has denied.
“Defendant Jose Rivera Campos (aka Jose Campos Rivera) was charged with a violation of Penal Code, section 148.5(a) (filing a false crime report) in case 3PD01873,” the Pasadena Police Department told The US Sun.
Rivera was not arrested or cited but took himself to the police station after it was revealed cops were looking to charge him.
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Since being charged, Rivera’s lawyer Estela Richeda has not replied to several attempts for comment.
She previously said: “He personally made the claim with the Pasadena Police Department, and he was warned at the time of filing the report [not to waste police time].
“He is ready to face charges if that is the course of action that PPD takes. Jose will present his facts of the claim to the court.”
The US Sun contacted the California Lottery Commission for further comment and to view the footage.
Spokesman Carolyn Becker said: “I am not able to provide any additional comment as it would be inappropriate while the case is pending.
“That said, California Lottery remains confident that Edwin Castro is the rightful winner of the $2.04 billion ($3.1356 billion AUD) Powerball jackpot from last November.”
Officials have always insisted Castro is the real winner of the $2 billion prize money, the biggest lottery win in American history.
“When it comes to the vetting process for big winners, California Lottery has the utmost confidence in its process for doing so,” Becker stated previously.
Castro had a one in 230 million chance of winning the eye-watering prize when he hit the winning numbers last year and has been enjoying the money despite the legal case.
He dropped a whopping $25 million($38.5 million AUD) on a luxurious California bachelor pad located in the same neighbourhood as pop star Ariana Grande and TV host Jimmy Kimmel.
Castro has also purchased a $4 million ($6.16million AUD) mansion in Altadena and a number of vintage cars.
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Despite Castro’s lawyer seemingly clearing his name, the civil case is rumbling on and has been continued until February.
Judge William A. Crowfoot told the court during the last hearing that a first amended complaint had been filed, meaning “everybody has been named again, but nobody has been served.”
De Paoli said he did not have the authority to be served on behalf of Castro, and it would need to be done through the proper channels with a legal process server.
Judge Crowfoot told Rivera’s counsel: “Go ahead and serve, he’ll [Castro] file his demurrer and life will go on.”
He continued the case management conference until at least February 27, 2024, although he revealed this could be subject to change depending on the serving process.
This story originally appeared on The U.S. Sun and has been republished with permission
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