Landlord supports claim that Edwin Castro isn't $2B Powerball winner

A Los Angeles man embroiled in a legal row over who the original owner of the $2 billion Powerball lottery ticket is said to have showed his former landlord the ticket before losing it.

Urachi 'Reggie' Romero claims his former tenant, Jose Rivera, had showed him the winning ticket before the draw took place and had reasons for picking the numbers. 

Earlier this week, Rivera filed a lawsuit claiming the winning ticket was his and not the man who claimed the prize, Edwin Castro.

Speaking to the New York Post, Romero said: 'I saw Jose Rivera with that ticket, he showed it to me.

'I asked him why he picked two 10s. He said it was the date his parents both died. He picked 47 because that’s how old he is. 

Urachi Romero, pictured, has now said that his former tenant Jose Rivera had showed him the winning ticket 

Edwin Castro was served with a lawsuit that alleges his $2billion winning Powerball lottery ticket was stolen

Castro was served at his new $25million California home, despite lottery officials saying he is the rightful winner

'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 (the drawing).'

'Jose Rivera did show me that ticket before he knew it was the winning ticket. But I don’t know how he lost that ticket.' 

The winning Powerball ticket was sold at Joe's Service Center in Altadena, California, for the November drawing that captivated the nation.

On Thursday, Castro was served with a lawsuit claiming that his winning ticket was stolen. 

Castro was at his new $25 million mansion in California when he had been served the papers.

Castro claimed the winning ticket and California lottery officials say he is the rightful owner of the $2billion prize.

Rivera claims a man named 'Reggie' stole the ticket and refused to return it, saying it was a dud.

Reggie also reportedly said if it did turn out to be a winner, that he would give up half the winnings.

One of his first purchases included this $25 million home in the Hollywood Hills

Rivera said he refused to be blackmailed and reported the alleged theft to police and lottery officials.

Both Castro and Reggie were named as co-defendants in the suit, according to a U.S. Sun report.

The winning ticket - 10, 33, 41, 47, 56, and Powerball 10 - was sold at the Altadena store, which also saw a $1million payout for the historic win.

In an earlier statement California Lottery said: 'When it comes to the vetting process for big winners, California Lottery has the utmost confidence in its process for doing so.

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

Castro has been living large since his winning, buying two separate California mansions for a total of $29 million. He was also seen driving away from a bank in a vintage Porsche. 

Castro's new $4million in Altadena, California, comes with its own home theater and expensive artwork

Since collecting his winnings, Castro purchased two separate California mansions for a total of $29 million

One of his new homes is a $4million mansion in the Los Angeles area. The home comes with its own home theater, private office and expensive artwork, which is sure to be improved given Castro's hefty new bank balance.

The Altadena home is only a short drive from where Castro grew up.

If Castro tires of the $4 million estate, he is only around 20 miles from his second California complex, which he bought for $25 million just eight days prior.

The sprawling 13,578-square-foot hillside estate, which comes complete with a full outdoor kitchen, gym, wine cellar and infinity pool.