Exclusive
BIG SPENDER
Edwin Castro went from mechanic to splashing cash on supercars & Hollywood homes after $2 billion Powerball lottery win
Inside how the former boy scout has been navigating life as a newly-minted millionaire
LOS Angeles mechanic Edwin Castro became the biggest US lottery winner when he clinched the historic $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot in November 2022.
Since the win, Edwin has been living out his dream life, buying lavish homes and a fleet of vintage cars.
5
5
But a source said he's "not one to party" and he's been "very smart" when it comes to spending his winnings, while he's also secretly donated to charitable causes.
"A lot of people who win the lottery say their lives were ruined because of the money, they party hard and get caught up in the lifestyle, some even end up spending it all," a source close to him said.
"But Edwin comes from a good family, he's humble, grounded, and isn't interested in all of that.
"He does love flash cars, but even those are an investment and he's planning to do restoration work with his father.
READ MORE on Edwin Castro
"Edwin doesn't care all that much about designer clothes and he's spending his money well.
"He's bought two properties in Los Angeles and he's spoken about buying vacation homes elsewhere."
Castro, a former boy scout, is a trained architect who graduated from Woodbury University in Burbank and has been working on cars with his father for several years.
His parents Edwin Sr. and Frances lived in Glendale before the win, and he also has a younger brother, Jesse, a banker, who has been helping to manage his finances.
Most read in Money
I am shocked and ecstatic.
Edwin Castro
Although he won more than $2 billion, he walked away with a lot less following the November 8 draw.
The jackpot started at $20 million back on August 6, 2022, and grew over the months, until Castro matched all five white balls and the red Powerball number.
The winning numbers were 10-33-41-47-56 and Powerball 10, and Castro banked more than $600 million after taxes.
The U.S. Sun previously learned he was sent the huge payments via direct deposit from January 18, with bank statements showing a list of payments, each for $75,818,944.26.
Edwin Castro dons iconic flips flops to get work done at body shop on $400,000 Porsche as lottery ticket fight continues
But it was months before he was named publicly that he reportedly celebrated his win by taking a close group of friends on a trip to Fiji, Instagram photographs showed.
In February 2023, the California Lottery finally revealed he was the sole winner of the jackpot.
He bought his ticket at Joe's Service Station in Altadena, and although he decided not to attend the press conference, he did release a statement.
Castro said at the time, "As much as I am shocked and ecstatic to have won the Powerball drawing, the real winner is the California public school system.
"The mission of the California Lottery, which is to provide supplemental funding for California public education – both public schools and colleges – makes this a huge win for the state.
"As someone who received the rewards of being educated in the California public education system, it’s gratifying to hear that, as a result of my win, the California school system greatly benefits as well."
LAWSUIT TWIST
But Castro barely had a minute to get used to his new-found wealth before he was named in a shocking lawsuit.
Los Angeles gardener Jose Rivera filed the complaint the same month he was named, alleging he was the true winner, but he'd lost his ticket.
He accused his former landlord Urachi Romero, known to friends as Reggie, of being in cahoots with Castro.
The California Lottery released a statement saying they remained confident Castro is the legitimate winner following a thorough vetting process.
But more than a year later, the case is still dragging on, as The U.S. Sun continues to attend each court hearing and has delivered several exclusive scoops.
It was revealed Castro has no links to Rivera, while Reggie insisted he has not seen a cent and does not know the Powerball winner.
However, he did tell the New York Post he believes Rivera selected the winning numbers but doesn't know what happened to the life-altering ticket.
FLASH CARS
Rivera hired legal counsel, and Castro took on attorney David De Paoli during the beginning months of the case.
In March 2023, a month after the lawsuit was filed, Castro purchased his first home - a $25.5 million bachelor pad in the Hollywood Hills.
The plush property, near pop star Ariana Grande, has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms and is a stone's throw away from the famous Chateau Marmont Hotel.
It was revealed Castro also had a soft spot for flash cars and The U.S. Sun published a series of photographs of him driving several new vintage motors.
His growing collection includes a Porsche 911 rumored to be worth $200,000.
Rivera, who is in his 40s, tried to report his "stolen ticket" to police in Pasadena, but they originally dismissed it, as they could not pinpoint where the alleged crime was meant to have taken place.
It wasn't until June 2023 when The U.S. Sun revealed Rivera had finally convinced them to take his complaint seriously.
The Pasadena Police Department confirmed they were investigating and being assisted by the California Lottery, even though they have always backed Castro.
The case took a turn in November 2023, when they turned the tables on Rivera and charged him with filing a false police complaint.
Authorities claimed he had wasted valuable time and resources.
FACING JAIL
Filing a false police report can be a misdemeanor or a felony.
If Rivera is convicted, he could serve up to six months in jail or pay a fine of up to $1,000.
After he was charged, Castro's then-lawyer De Paoli told The U.S. Sun he had seen "crystal clear" surveillance footage provided by the California Lottery which showed his client buying the ticket.
Despite numerous attempts to obtain the video, the state lottery has refused to release it publicly or comment on the case amid pending legal proceedings.
After the video revelation, it seemed Rivera was not set for victory, while he has also lost several lawyers in his civil case.
Meanwhile, in December it was reported Castro had purchased a second luxury property - a $4 million house for his parents.
Edwin Castro's Timeline
Edwin Castro's Timeline
- November 2022 - Edwin Castro purchased his ticket from Joe's Service Station in Altadena.
- February 2023 - The California Lottery revealed Castro's name for the first time.
- February 2023 - Jose Rivera filed a lawsuit against the lottery winner claiming he bought the ticket and lost it.
- March 2023 - Castro bought his first luxury home above the Sunset Strip in the Hollywood Hills.
- June 2023 - The Pasadena Police Department revealed they were investigating Rivera's claim and working with the California Lottery, despite their statement backing Castro.
- November 2023 - Rivera was charged with filing a false police complaint and faced jail.
- November 2023 - It was revealed Castro had bought his second home in Altadena for his parents.
- February 2024 - Rivera is ordered by a judge to undergo a psychiatric evaluation in his criminal case.
- March 2024 - Rivera sobs in court after being told he passed the test and can face trial after pleading not guilty.
The Japanese-style home offers five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a pool, and a movie theater.
At the start of 2024, The U.S. Sun published its first exclusive interview with his lottery rival Rivera after he appeared in criminal court in Pasadena.
He insisted he was the real winner and demanded justice, insisting he would fight to the end.
Rivera said, "It's ridiculous that they are trying to put charges on me for my own ticket. I don't have words for it.
"But I showed them that I am the rightful winner. I was the one who bought the ticket. I’m going to show everyone that I'm the rightful winner."
TRIAL DATE
He went on, "This is war and Imma fight … if God wants me in jail for my own ticket .. oh well, that's what he wants. But Imma fight until the end.
"I want justice and I'm going to show the world. I'm fighting for justice.
"I'm not hungry on money. I had my own business. I was a gardener and I'm proud of being a gardener and a hard-working man."
Rivera later pleaded not guilty in his criminal case and said he was confident the truth would come out.
A judge ordered him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to see if he was competent to stand trial, and he later passed and a trial date will soon be set.
Meanwhile, The U.S. Sun recently caught up with his former landlord Reggie, who says he has not met Castro.
But he still believes Rivera bought the winning lottery ticket and misplaced it.
Castro, 32, has recently hired a new legal team and a top PR firm to help handle his affairs after becoming a high-profile person.
Read More on The US Sun
Rivera will next appear in court for his criminal case on May 1, while the civil case has been pushed back to July 25, as he is representing himself.
The California Lottery remains confident that Castro is the true winner of the jackpot.
5
5
5