Man who accused Powerball winner Edwin Castro of STEALING $2BILLION ticket breaks silence after he’s charged with filing false police report – and doubles down on claim HE is the rightful winner

The man who accused billionaire Powerball winner – Edwin Castro – of stealing the winning ticket has spoken out after being accused of filing a false police report.

Since Castro, 31, won the Powerball and claimed the $997.6 million lump sum in February, he has been embroiled in a legal battle over ownership of the ticket with a man named Jose Rivera.

Edwin Castro's rival continues to demand justice for what he claims was a stolen lottery ticket despite being accused of filing a false police report.

Pasadena City Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian told DailyMail.com in October that local police had turned over the documentation to the city's attorney general for possible misdemeanor charges of filing a false police report.

Rivera made her first court appearance since being charged with filing false police reports – a felony punishable by up to $1,000 in jail and six years in prison.

The plaintiff claims he purchased the winning ticket at Joe's Service Center in Altadena, California and told police American sun “I was the one who bought the ticket” and promised to “show everyone that I am the rightful winner.”

He claimed the ticket was stolen by his former landlord, Urachi F. Romero, who he said was blackmailing him unless he agreed to share the profits.

The $2.04 billion jackpot is the largest won to date in American history.

Rivera claimed that after Romeo 'stole' the ticket it somehow ended up in Castro's hands – but the billionaire's lawyer, David De Paoli, said he had seen surveillance footage showing his client had purchased the ticket.

'I have personally viewed the CCTV footage and it is crystal clear. Without a doubt, Edwin Castro purchased the winning Powerball ticket,” the attorney said.

De Paoli, the Pasadena district attorney, reversed Rivera after an investigation into his claims.

'It's ridiculous that they're trying to charge me for my own ticket. I have no words,” Rivera said.

He continued, “This is war and I'm going to fight. If God wants me in jail for my own ticket, oh well, that's what he wants. But I will fight to the end.”

'I want justice and I'm going to show that to the world. I fight for justice.

'I'm not hungry for money. I had my own company. I was a gardener and I am proud to be a gardener and a hardworking man.”

Rivera said he hasn't worked since the lottery scandal hit the news.

He appeared in court with a suitcase full of paperwork for his ongoing legal battle.

'It's going to explode. I don't want money,” Rivera said. 'I want the truth. I'm tired.

'People think I'm stupid. I'm not stupid, I'm actually very smart.'

Rivera's accusations came after Castro spent his new money on all kinds of luxury items, including sports cars and mansions.

He currently owns a white 1980s Porsche 911, a gray Ram 1500 TRX and three Volkswagen Karmann Ghias, two black and one red.

His latest purchase saw him add a 1970s British racing green Porsche 356 and a black 1980s Porsche 911 to his growing collection.

He's also been spotted in three new homes, including a $25 million home in the Hollywood Hills, followed by an even larger property in Bel Air worth $47 million.

Another of his new homes is a $4 million mansion, also in the Los Angeles area, just 20 miles from his second complex in California, for which he paid $25.5 million.

Castro's larger property bought the lavish home less than a month after his shock Powerball win came through and is located behind the iconic Chateau Marmont suites.

With Ariana Grande and Jimmy Kimmel as its neighbors, this sprawling 13,578-square-foot hillside home is complete with a full outdoor kitchen, gym, wine cellar, and infinity pool.

It also features an infinity pool, cinema and sauna, as well as two separate garages that can accommodate up to seven cars.

The pad was first listed for $30 million in July 2022, but it appears Castro has managed to shave $4.5 million off the top prize.

Other amenities include a games room and bar, as well as a fitness room with a hot and cold plunge pool, dry sauna and steam shower.

Meanwhile, his sprawling 13,000-square-foot hillside estate in Bel Air comes complete with a full outdoor kitchen, gym, wine cellar and infinity pool.

It also features an infinity pool, cinema and sauna, as well as two separate garages that can accommodate up to seven cars.