$1.73 Billion Powerball Jackpot Finally Won Amid Death Threats Over Record $2.04 Billion Payout

The second largest Powerball in US history has been won in California after weeks without a winning ticket. The lucky punter is expected to collect a prize of approximately $1.73 billion after matching the winning numbers of 22, 24, 40, 52, 64 and the Powerball 10.

Often, winners choose to remain anonymous but Californian law requires full public disclosure of the winner’s name, where the ticket was sold, and how they choose to divvy up the winnings in terms of lifelong payments or a lump sum.

The chance of winning the Powerball prize is a mind-boggling 1 in 292.2 million and it has been 36 weeks since the last winner. It is also the first time in history that back-to-back winners have won more than $1 billion.

Allegations of Stolen $2.04 Billion Powerball Ticket Trigger Death Threats

Not everyone is happy in this cycle of billion dollar Powerball wins, though. When the record Powerball jackpot of $2.04 billion was won in 2022, a disgruntled man from California claims he bought the winning ticket but it was stolen.

Jose Rivera says that the winning ticket was taken by his former landlord, Urachi Romero, according to the lawsuit documentation in the Alhambra Superior Court.

The prize was claimed by Edwin Castro, a man who Romero says he has no connection to whatsoever. The California Lottery Commission also says that it is convinced that it has the rightful winner, but added that it has no powers to investigate any possible criminal activity.

Rivera is now claiming that he has been forced to leave his job as a gardener due to anonymous death threats telling him to end his claim on the massive prize.

Romero was interviewed by the New York Post in May and said that he believes Rivera did indeed have the winning ticket but he lost it himself.

“He picked 47 because that’s how old he is. He also said his dad always wanted a 1956 Chevy truck, so he picked 56. He had a reason why he chose every number, and he told me this before.”

Rivera is now trying to convince the court that Romero and Castro are in cahoots, agreeing to split the winnings.

Castro’s lawyer says his client isn’t bothered by the ongoing lawsuit so long as he isn’t required to appear and waste his time.