Powerball Winner Child Support: New Jersey Resident Owes $29K For Child Support
A man who won the $338 million Powerball jackpot on March 23 owes about $29,000 in child support, Reuters reported.
The amount that New Jersey resident Pedro Quezada claimed is debatable, with ABC News reporting he won $221 million, and Reuters claiming he will receive $211 million. These numbers exclude the amount owed in taxes, which takes about 28 percent of the winnings.
Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik said the sheriff office's warrant squad is trying to find Quezada, a married man with five children, to notify him about these findings and resolve the issue.
The Lottery Division generally follows judgments before winnings are released, which implies that all financial obligations must be met before the winner receives his award. Berdnik said, "Like everyone else, until this warrant is satisfied, Mr. Quezada is subject to potential arrest."
The child support obligations date back to 2009, although it is unclear which of his five children are covered under the payments.
Because Quezada chose the lump sum option, where he will receive the full amount instead of annual payments over 30 years, he will receive the smaller amount, according to lottery officials. This is the third-largest lump sum payment in Powerball history.
Quezada was the owner of a bodega in Passaic. His Apple Deli and Grocery now has a "For Sale" sign on the door, and Quezada told reporters Tuesday that the business is now closed.
