The mystery is over. The person who won the record-breaking Powerball jackpot in November is collecting his prize.
Edwin Castro won the “unbelievable and historic” $2.04 billion prize, California Lottery Director Alva Johnson said during a news conference Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The winning numbers were selected on Nov. 8 in Florida after a nearly 10-hour delay due to a problem processing sales data, according to KCRA-TV.
Congratulations to Edwin Castro, who won the biggest pot in lottery history at $2.05 billion 🤑https://t.co/2ak0VWLnlm
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) February 15, 2023
Castro was the only person to match all five numbers plus the Powerball for a jackpot-winning ticket. The ticket was sold at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, an unincorporated community northeast of Los Angeles, according to the television station.
Business owner Joe Chahayed received a $1 million bonus for selling the jackpot ticket, KCRA reported.
Castro did not attend the news conference and did not speak publicly other than to release a statement that said he was “shocked and ecstatic.”
“As someone who received the rewards of being educated in the California public education system, it’s gratifying to hear that as a result of my win, the California school system greatly benefits as well,” Castro said.
State law said that Castro’s name is in the public record, but nothing else is -- including his age and where he lives, according to the Times. Johnson said Castro would like to “largely remain private.”
Winners can receive their winnings over 30 annual payments or as a lump sum, according to the Powerball website. State officials said Castro chose the lump sum of $997.6 million, The Associated Press reported.
“This is a history-making day here at the California Lottery,” Carolyn Becker, a spokesperson for the state lottery said. “Edwin Castro shares in our love for California public schools on this Valentine’s Day — couldn’t be more fitting.”
