**Powerball Winner Retains $2.04 Billion Jackpot After Judge Dismisses Lawsuit**

Edwin Castro, the man who won a record-breaking $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot, will keep his winnings following a California judge's decision to dismiss a lawsuit that challenged his ownership of the ticket. The lawsuit, brought by Jose Rivera, was officially dismissed on Tuesday after Rivera failed to contest a previous tentative ruling against him, as reported by TMZ.

Rivera had alleged that the winning ticket was stolen from him, sparking a legal battle that has persisted for nearly two years since Castro claimed the immense jackpot in November 2022. Rivera had asserted that he bought the winning ticket on November 7, 2022, a day before the Powerball drawing, only to have it stolen by a man identified as Urachi "Reggie" Romero. According to Rivera, Romero told him the ticket was a loser and never returned it.

Despite Rivera’s claims, the judge upheld the principle that the person in possession of a winning ticket is presumed to be the lawful owner. "Players are solely responsible for securing their tickets against theft, loss, damage, or destruction," the judge noted, grounding the decision to dismiss the case.

Upon winning, Castro, 31, opted for the lump sum payout, which amounted to $997.7 million before taxes. After taxes, he walked away with approximately $628 million. Following his windfall, Castro made significant investments, including a $47 million mansion in Hollywood Hills and a $4 million house for his parents in Altadena.

The dismissal of Rivera's lawsuit marks the end of a significant legal hurdle for Castro, allowing him to fully enjoy his historic jackpot without further legal interruptions.