Man who won $2,000,000,000 on Powerball reveals reason for latest spending after it sparks debate

A man who scooped a $2 billion Powerball jackpot has defended himself after causing controversy with a new venture.

Back in 2022, Edwin Castro bought himself a lottery ticket oblivious to the fact that his life was about to change forever.

Castro would go on to scoop a gargantuan prize at the lottery, taking some an enormous $2 billion Powerball.

After claiming his prize in February 2023, Castro opted for the single payment option of $997.6 million, meaning he would walk away with around $628.5 million after tax.

The newly-minted multi-millionaire would waste no time in spending his winnings, investing in real estate, fancy cars and even private security for himself and his family.

But in 2025, disaster struck when Castro, 33, became one of thousands of people to lose their homes in California wildfires.

The fires devastated the area (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Now rebuilding efforts are starting, and Castro has purchased 15 plots of land which were razed in the devastation, spending around $10 million.

He plans to build homes on the sites, which he can then sell on prompting fury from people who have accused him of trying to profit from the disaster.

Some have started a petition to introduce 'legislation to stop corporate takeover of disaster-affected communities and protect our neighborhoods from displacement'.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Castro confirmed that yes, he did intend to make money off the land.

He said: "The profit margin doesn’t need to be egregious, but I’m not building these homes just to give them away."

But while he aims to profit, Castro has also made it clear that he hopes his purchases will help to preserve some part of what the neighbourhood was before.

In his interview with the Wall Street Journal, he explained that he intends to sell 'exclusively to families who want to settle down in Altadena, rather than people who might turn the homes into rentals'.

Thousands of homes were destroyed in the fire (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Defending his redevelopment plans following a backlash both online and in the media, he took to social media.

"I want it to feel like the old neighborhood," he said.

Another person added another concern, saying: "Does he know what he's doing? The risk is he builds bad projects or blow his money. Of course us silly Californians are worried he'll make money."

Castro replied: "Haha I get it … it’s a big project. Got some solid folks helping me keep it on track though."

Another pointed out that while he will profit, it might still be better than the houses being built by an anonymous company.

They wrote: "Well he grew up here and most agree that better a hometown kid with money than a conglomerate from overseas/out of state."