Powerball winner Edwin Castro's rival Jose Rivera - who claims he is the rightful owner of $2 billion winning ticket - erupts in court and fires his attorney as judge demands he undergo PSYCHIATRIC evaluation

• Jose Rivera is charged with filing a false police report after he claimed that the jackpot that Edwin Castro won in November 2022 was his
• Rivera erupted in court during his pre-trial hearing on Tuesday and fired his attorney 
• The judge decided to suspend his case and move it to a mental health court before Rivera stormed out of the hearing

The man who claimed that the $2 billion winning lottery ticket belonged to him has erupted in court and fired his attorney.

Jose Rivera, 43, is currently charged with filing a false police report after he claimed that the jackpot that Edwin Castro, 30, won in November 2022 was his and that Castro had stolen his ticket.

Rivera arrived at a courthouse in Pasadena on Tuesday over the charge after authorities said that he allegedly waisted time and resources. He pleaded not guilty to the false report charge.

During his pre-trial hearing, Rivera argued with his lawyer, fired him and then threatened to walk out, The U.S. Sun reported.

He previously admitted that he could not afford a lawyer and was given a public defender, whom he also fired before his arraignment.

During the court drama, Rivera said: ‘Just take me into custody,’ as he approached the judge, who told him that she needed to ‘clear the courtroom’ to speak with him alone.

Edwin Castro, 30, won the jackpot and took the lump sum option after winning $2.04 billion in November 2022, which brought the total down to $997 million after tax

Rivera previously reported to the Pasadena Police Department that Castro ‘stole’ the winning ticket from him

Once people were let back into the courthouse, Judge Donna Hollingsworth announced that Rivera’s case was being suspended and would be moved to a competency hearing on March 5.

Her decision only infuriated Rivera more as he asked the judge to give him more time as she declined his request and said she was moving him to another courthouse.

Rivera then turned to friends of his that were present at the hearing and said: ‘There’s no justice,’ before he stormed out of the courtroom.

Castro took the lump sum option after winning $2.04 billion in November 2022, which brought the total down to $997 million after tax.

He used his big earnings to buy a luxury house for himself, one for his parents, multiple sports cars and splurged on exotic trips.

Rivera reported to the Pasadena Police Department that Castro ‘stole’ the winning ticket from him.

Police and California Lottery investigators have tried to find out if a supposed crime took place, but now believe Rivera has lied about his claim.

If someone is convicted of filing a false police report in California they can face up to six months in jail, be find up to $1,000, and probation.

Rivera claimed that the ticket was stolen by his former landlord ‘Reggie’, also known as Urachi F. Romero.

Romero told The New York Post that he saw Rivera with the winning ticket on November 7, the same night he claimed to purchase it from Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California.

He also claimed that he later received threats from Rivera but has insisted that he didn’t steal the ticket and that he doesn’t know Castro.

After Rivera noticed he ‘misplaced’ the winning ticket, he rampaged through the house Romero was leasing out to him at the time in search of it.

Castro, 30, hired Terry Fahn, a media representative of Strick and Company, to help him with communications and public relations

Lottery winner Edwin Castro (in the white shirt) was seen taking a look at a green 1970s Porsche 911 SC and black early 90s Porsche 911 964 Turbo

Romero says that he let him look through his personal items because he had ‘nothing to hide’.

The landlord went on to take a video of Rivera in his room as he frantically dug through his drawers.

Romero claimed that the ticket could’ve been taken from a friend who was present the night before the drawing. He added that that friend had a connection to Castro and his family.

After he walked out of court on Tuesday, Rivera told The U.S. Sun that there is ‘so much evidence’ backing his claim and that he is ‘frustrated and tired’ and wants the ordeal to end.

‘I’m not lying about it,’ he added.

In recent news, Castro, the appointed winner of the jackpot ticket, has gone on to hire a public relations guru to help him manage his fortune and fame.

The billionaire hired Terry Fahn, a media representative of Strick and Company, to help him with communications and public relations.

Fahn previously worked with well-known stars and other high-profile clients before like MLB star Alex Rodriguez and various NBA stars. Rodriguez is currently being represented by Ron Berkowitz of Berk Communications.

Fahn confirmed to DailyMail.com that he is Castro’s new PR and Communications Manager but declined to comment further.

Over the weekend, Castro was spotted on a date with a mystery woman in West Hollywood. Do you know Castro’s mystery woman? Email [email protected].

Castro and the woman went on a sushi date in West Hollywood on Saturday, as the pair were seen giggling and driving in one of his luxury cars.

The billionaire also seemed very relaxed and comfortable as he sported a man-bun and button down, as he puffed on a vape.

His date donned a long black dress, green high heels and a black blazer.

After Castro won his billions, he scrubbed his online presence and spent time in blissful anonymity before his identity was revealed in February.

‘I noticed he did disappear for a couple of months from his social media after he won, which is smart,’ an insider told the New York Post.

During the court drama, Rivera said: ‘Just take me into custody,’ as he approached the judge, who told him that she needed to ‘clear the courtroom’ to speak with him alone

Castro splurged out on a $25 million house for himself in Hollywood Hills (pictured) after he became a billionaire

Before he was identified as the winner of the largest lottery jackpot in US history, Castro chose Fiji as the spot for his final low-profile blowout.

He was seen with friends cracking into coconuts and chilling on the beach with at least six others, who likely didn’t expect to pay for much on the vacation.

The group were also spotted on the exclusive Cloud 9 bar, a giant drifting watering hole reportedly billed as ‘Fiji’s floating paradise.’

Only accessible by boat around an hour from the tropical island’s mainland, the bar has two levels designed for a day of snorkeling, sunbathing and drinking.

Castro reportedly returned from his excursion to Fiji to his family’s three-bedroom home near La Crescenta, California, but it didn’t take him long to start splashing the cash.

He hired bodyguards for him and his family, and began working with his brother Jesse, a banker, to manage his fortune.

Castro splurged out on a $25 million house for himself in Hollywood Hills and a $4 million Japanese-inspired home in Altadena for his mom and dad.

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.

His proud parents will enjoy the home just a short drive from the suburb where Castro grew up.

Despite his life being turned upside down, insiders say Castro hasn’t let the money change him and is in control of the fortune, even if it looks like he is spending large.

‘He’s very grounded in what he does,’ an insider said. ‘Whatever he spends, he knows that he’s gonna make a profit on it.’

He was seen with friends cracking into coconuts and chilling on the beach with at least six others, who likely didn’t expect to pay for much on the vacation.

The group were also spotted on the exclusive Cloud 9 bar, a giant drifting watering hole reportedly billed as ‘Fiji’s floating paradise.’

Only accessible by boat around an hour from the tropical island’s mainland, the bar has two levels designed for a day of snorkeling, sunbathing and drinking.

Castro reportedly returned from his excursion to Fiji to his family’s three-bedroom home near La Crescenta, California, but it didn’t take him long to start splashing the cash.

He hired bodyguards for him and his family, and began working with his brother Jesse, a banker, to manage his fortune.

Scammers also picked up on Castro’s wealth as soon as it became public, as his friends and family became inundated with targeted spam messages.

‘I do remember getting spam messages from someone claiming to be him and saying he was giving away money,’ a source told the Post.

The attention from his winnings has also seen him entangled in a messy legal battle after a man accused Castro of stealing the winning ticket.

Jose Rivera reported to the Pasadena Police Department that Castro ‘stole’ the winning ticket from him.

Police and California Lottery investigators have tried to find out if a supposed crime took place, but now believe Rivera has lied about his claim.

Another of Castro’s new homes is a $4million mansion he reportedly bought for his parents, a short drive from the suburb where he grew up

City of Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian told the DailyMail.com the local police department had turned over the documentation to the city prosecutor for potential misdemeanor charges for filing a false police report.

If someone is convicted of filing a false police report in California they can face up to six months in jail, be fined up to $1,000, and probation.

Rivera’s lawyer, Estela Richeda, has fought hard for her client, telling The U.S. Sun that she ‘personally’ went to the Pasadena Police station with Rivera to open the case against Castro.

Romero claimed that the ticket could’ve been taken from a friend who was present the night before the drawing. He added that that friend had a connection to Castro and his family, but none of this has been proven.

Castro splurged out on a $25 million house for himself in Hollywood Hills and a $4 million Japanese-inspired home in Altadena for his mom and dad.

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.

His proud parents will enjoy the home just a short drive from the suburb where Castro grew up.

Despite his life being turned upside down, insiders say Castro hasn’t let the money change him and is in control of the fortune, even if it looks like he is spending large.

‘He’s very grounded in what he does,’ an insider said. ‘Whatever he spends, he knows that he’s gonna make a profit on it.’

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