I won the $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot – but my ticket was ‘stolen the same day I won and the thief blackmailed me’

A CALIFORNIA lottery hopeful has claimed he was the rightful winner of the record setting $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot, but had his ticket stolen on the day he purchased it. 

Legal documents obtained by TMZ allege that Jose Rivera purchased a lottery ticket from Joe’s Service Center in Altadena on November 7. 

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Rivera claimed that the same day, a man called “Reggie” stole the ticket. 

One day later, the winning numbers were announced and Rivera alleged that Reggie refused to hand the ticket over – which allegedly had the winning numbers. 

Instead, Reggie allegedly said he would hand it over if the winnings were split equally. 

According to the documents, Rivera claimed he “refused to be blackmailed” and reported the alleged theft to the police and California Lottery. 

In February, the state announced Edwin Castro as the official winner of the $2.04 billion prize – the largest Powerball jackpot of all time. 

The winning ticket numbers were 10-33-41-47-56, and Power 10.

Castro also purchased the ticket at Joe’s Service Center – just 15 miles north of Los Angeles.

Due to tax penalties, Castro only took home approximately $997.6million from his winnings.

In a statement, Castro said he was “shocked and ecstatic” about the massive win.

“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,” he said.

Castro and Reggie are listed as two separate defendants in Rivera’s lawsuit asking to be declared the winner, according to TMZ.

In March, attorneys representing Rivera identified Reggie as Urachi F. Romero, according to 10 News San Diego.

Despite Rivera’s claim, the California Lottery has stood by its decision naming Castro the winner of the massive prize. 

“Further, when it comes to the vetting process for big winners, California Lottery has the utmost confidence in its process for doing so,” a spokesperson told TMZ. 

“California Lottery remains confident that Edwin Castro is the rightful winner of the $2.04 billion prize stemming from the Powerball drawing in November of 2022.”