Edwin Castro’s rival is doubling down on his claims he is the rightful owner of the biggest winning lottery ticket in American history — despite being charged with filing a false police report in the ongoing saga, according to a report.
Jose Rivera demanded “justice” following his first appearance in Pasadena Court Friday for the criminal charge.
“It’s ridiculous that they are trying to put charges on me for my own ticket. I don’t have words for it,” Rivera told the US Sun.
“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.”
Rivera came forward months after Castro claimed the $2.04 billion prize with allegations that he was the one who actually bought the ticket from a California store.
The lifelong gardener accused his landlord, Urachi “Reggie” Romero, of stealing the life-altering ticket before it somehow ended up in Castro’s hands.
Rivera reported the alleged theft and filed a civil case despite Castro and Romero’s emphatic denials, as well as the California State Lottery Commission’s confirmation that Castro was seen on surveillance footage buying the ticket.
Rivera was charged with filing a false police report last month — exactly a year after the winning ticket of the largest lotto sum in the country to date was pulled.
Authorities believed Rivera was wasting their time on a frivolous claim about the ticket leading up to the charge.
He showed up to his arraignment Friday ready for what he called “war,” decked out in a bright blue LA Dodgers T-shirt, matching hat and white pants.
“If God wants me in jail for my own ticket — Oh well, that’s what he wants. But Imma fight until the end,” Rivera told the outlet.
“I want justice and I’m going to show the world. Hopefully I get justice.”
He asserted that he wasn’t “hungry on money” and that he has taken a break from working since the record-breaking ticket was revealed to focus on his ongoing legal battles.
He faces up to six months in jail, probation and fines of up to $1,000 for allegedly filing a false police report.
“It’s been difficult for me and my family,” Rivera said, adding that his family has supported him emotionally and financially since he filed the report.
“I had my own business. I was a gardener and I’m proud of being a gardener and a hard-working man.”
“It’s gonna blow up. I don’t want money, I want the truth. I’m tired … People think I’m stupid. I’m not stupid, I’m actually very, very smart.”
Rivera did not enter a plea Friday and told the court that he wanted to speak to a public defender before deciding whether to hire his own lawyer.
His arraignment was pushed back to January 11.
His civil case against Castro, the lottery commission, and Romero has been continued to next February.
Castro — who was spotted at Los Angeles International Airport in September with a mystery woman — has not appeared distressed by Rivera’s claims and has spent his winnings lavishly.
Apart from designer clothing and luxury cars, the world’s luckiest man has bought three massive mansions in California worth a combined tens of millions of dollars.
