A man from California has filed a lawsuit claiming that a winning Powerball ticket worth $2.04 billion was stolen from him.
Jose Rivera alleges that he purchased the ticket from Joe’s Service Center in Altadena on November 7, the day before the drawing, and that a man named “Reggie” stole it from him on the same day.
Rivera approached Reggie after the drawing to get the ticket back, but Reggie claimed that the ticket did not match all six numbers and offered to split the prize 50-50.
Rivera refused and reported the alleged theft to law enforcement officials and the California State Lottery, demanding an investigation. Edwin Castro was identified as the winner of the jackpot three months later.
Rivera’s lawsuit lists both Castro and Reggie as defendants, but it does not provide any additional information on their involvement in the suspected theft. Rivera is seeking damages and to be declared the rightful winner of the jackpot.
The California Lottery spokesperson stated that the organization is confident that Castro is the rightful winner of the prize, and that allegations of criminal activity are subject to investigation only by local law enforcement.