Lottery Numbers Powerball winner in court fight
PATERSON, N.J. - A New Jersey man who became one of the largest Powerball jackpot winners in lottery history is embroiled in a court fight over his winnings with his former live-in girlfriend who is the mother of his child.
A judge Friday ruled that Pedro Quezada's lottery winnings cannot be frozen pending the outcome of a trial to determine if Ines Sanchez is entitled to a share of the money.
Quezada, 44, was the sole winner of a Powerball drawing last spring that was worth $338 million, or about $152 million after taxes.
Attorneys for Ines Sanchez argue that Quezada bought the ticket based on shared earnings. Sanchez and Quezada lived together for 10 years, have a child together, and shared ownership of a grocery in Passaic, attorneys said.
Quezada's lawyer argued in court that Sanchez had no claim to the money because the couple were never married.
Superior Court Judge Margaret Mary McVeigh said while she considered the couple's 10-year relationship to be long-term and recognized Sanchez's contributions to the household, there was no legal framework for restraining the assets.
She refused to dismiss the suit, which argues Sanchez should get a fair share of the winnings. The judge also refused to stay her decision pending an expedited seven-day appeal.
