Edwin Castro went from being a mechanic to spending money on supercars and Hollywood homes after winning $2 billion in the Powerball lottery

LOS Angeles mechanic Edwin Castro became the biggest US lottery winner when he won the historic $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot in November 2022.

Since winning, Edwin has been living the life of his dreams, purchasing luxurious homes and a fleet of vintage cars.

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But a source said he “doesn’t like to party” and has been “very smart” when it comes to spending his winnings, while also secretly donating to charitable causes.

“Many people who win the lottery say their lives have been ruined because of money, they party a lot and get caught up in the lifestyle, some even end up spending it all,” said a source close to him.

“But Edwin comes from a good family, is humble, grounded and not interested in all that.

“He loves flash cars, but even those are an investment and he’s planning on doing restoration work with his dad.

“Edwin doesn’t care much for designer clothes and is spending his money well.

“He bought two properties in Los Angeles and talked about buying vacation homes elsewhere.”

Castro, a former Boy Scout, is an architect who graduated from Woodbury University in Burbank and has worked on cars with his father for several years.

His parents, Edwin Sr. and Frances, lived in Glendale before his victory, and he also has a younger brother, Jesse, a banker, who has helped manage his finances.

I am shocked and ecstatic.

Edwin CastroPowerball Winner

Although he won more than $2 billion, he walked away with much less after the November 8 draw.

The jackpot started at $20 million 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 accumulated more than $600 million after taxes.

The US Sun previously learned that he received huge payments via direct deposit starting January 18, with bank statements showing a list of payments, each worth $75,818,944.26.

But months before his name was released publicly, he reportedly celebrated his victory by taking a close group of friends on a trip to Fiji, Instagram photos showed.

In February 2023, the California Lottery finally revealed that he was the sole jackpot winner.

He purchased his ticket at Joe’s gas station in Altadena, and although he decided not to attend the press conference, he released a statement.

Castro said at the time: “As shocked and ecstatic as I am 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 has received the rewards of being educated in the California public school system, it is gratifying to know that as a result of my victory, the California school system also greatly benefits.”

PROCESS TWIST

But Castro barely had a minute to adjust to his newfound wealth before he was named in a shocking court case.

Los Angeles groundskeeper Jose Rivera filed the complaint the same month he was nominated, claiming he was the real winner but had lost his ticket.

He accused its former owner Urachi Romero, known to friends as Reggie, of being in cahoots with Castro.

The California Lottery released a statement saying it remains confident that Castro is the rightful winner after a thorough verification process.

But more than a year later, the case still drags on, as The US Sun continues to attend each court hearing and provide numerous exclusive scoops.

It was revealed that Castro has no ties to Rivera, while Reggie insisted he hasn’t seen a dime and doesn’t know the Powerball winner.

However, he told the New York Post Office he believes Rivera selected the winning numbers, but doesn’t know what happened to the ticket that changed his life.

FLASH CARS

Rivera hired legal counsel and Castro hired attorney David De Paoli during the first few 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 luxurious property, close to pop star Ariana Grande, has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms and is just steps from the famous Chateau Marmont Hotel.

It was revealed that Castro also had a penchant for flash cars and The US Sun published a series of photos of him driving several new vintage engines.

His growing collection includes a Porsche 911 that is reportedly worth $200,000.

Rivera, who is in his 40s, attempted to report his “stolen ticket” to Pasadena police, but they initially rejected it as they were unable to identify where the alleged crime was supposed to have occurred.

It wasn’t until June 2023 that The US Sun revealed that Rivera finally convinced them to take his complaint seriously.

The Pasadena Police Department confirmed it was investigating and being assisted by the California Lottery, although it has always supported Castro.

The case changed in November 2023, when they turned the tables on Rivera and accused him of filing a false police report.

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 prison or pay a fine of up to $1,000.

After being charged, Castro’s then-attorney De Paoli told The US Sun that he saw “crystal clear” surveillance footage provided by the California Lottery that showed his client purchasing 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 lawsuits.

After the video was revealed, it appeared that Rivera was not ready to win, even though he also lost several lawyers in his civil case.

Meanwhile, in December, it was reported that Castro had purchased a second luxury property – a $4 million home for his parents.

Edwin Castro Timeline

Edwin Castro Timeline

• November 2022 – Edwin Castro purchased his ticket at Joe’s gas station in Altadena.
• February 2023 – The California Lottery revealed Castro’s name for the first time.
• February 2023 – José Rivera filed a lawsuit against the lottery winner claiming he bought the ticket and lost it.
• March 2023 – Castro purchased his first luxury home above the Sunset Strip in the Hollywood Hills.
• June 2023 – The Pasadena Police Department revealed that it was investigating Rivera’s claim and working with the California Lottery, despite his statement supporting Castro.
• November 2023 – Rivera was accused of filing a false police report and was arrested.
• November 2023 – It was revealed that Castro purchased 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 stand trial after pleading not guilty.

The Japanese-style house offers five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a swimming pool and a cinema.

In early 2024, The US Sun published its first exclusive interview with his lottery rival, Rivera, after he appeared in criminal court in Pasadena.

He insisted that he was the true winner and demanded justice, insisting that he would fight to the end.

Rivera said: “It’s ridiculous that they are trying to charge me for my own ticket. I have no words for it.

“But I showed them that I’m the rightful winner. I’m the one who bought the ticket. I’m going to show everyone that I’m the rightful winner.”

TEST DATE

He continued: “This is war and I’m going to fight… if God wants me in prison because of my own passing… oh, well, that’s what he wants. But I’m going to fight until the end.

“I want justice and I will show it to the world. I’m fighting for justice.

“I’m not hungry for money. I had my own business. I was a gardener and I’m proud to be 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 was later approved and a trial date will be set soon.

Meanwhile, The US Sun recently spoke to his former landlord Reggie, who says he never met Castro.

But he still believes Rivera bought the winning lottery ticket and lost it.

Castro, 32, recently hired a new legal team and a major public relations firm to help manage his affairs after becoming a high-profile figure.

Rivera will appear in court for his criminal case on May 1, while the civil case has been postponed to July 25 as he is representing himself.

The California Lottery remains confident that Castro is the true jackpot winner.

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