NJ Lottery Winner in Legal Battle with Former Girlfriend

Lastspring, Pedro Quezada of Passaic, New Jersey was the sole winner of one of thelargest lottery winnings ever, a $338 million Powerball jackpot (worth about$152 million after taxes).  He is now inthe midst of a heated legal battle with his former girlfriend over the money.

Quezadaand Inez Sanchez lived together for ten years, shared ownership of a grocerystore, and have a child together.  Theattorneys for Sanchez claim she purchased the ticket based on the couple’sshared earnings.  Quezada’s attorneyargues she has no claim to the money because they were never married.

TheSuperior Court judge refused to dismiss the lawsuit but denied a request fromSanchez to freeze the lottery winnings, saying the court has no legal frameworkfor restraining the assets.

See The Associated Press, NJ Man, Ex-Girlfriend in Court overPowerball Win, Tuscaloosa News, Nov. 9, 2013.