Published on: March 24, 2026, 07:35h.
Updated on: March 24, 2026, 07:35h.
- Woman’s fraudulent $1.08 billion lottery claim results in lawsuit dismissal
- Judge determines no contract existed, labels claims as “lacking substance”
- Actual winner identified months later, concluding a strange public drama
A woman from Los Angeles who asserted she was the true winner of a $1.08 billion Powerball jackpot has had her case dismissed by a judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Stacy Tru filed a lawsuit against the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and the California Lottery in January 2025, claiming contract violation and sought the entire jackpot amount along with interest. She maintained she was “the sole owner of the winning ticket” at all times.
The winning ticket, which stood as the sixth-largest prize in U.S. lottery history (currently the 13th), was sold at the Las Palmitas Mini Market, located near Skid Row, a neighborhood infamous for homelessness and crime.
“In the midst of Skid Row’s poverty, someone has just won $1 billion,” reported The LA Times.
Overwhelmed with Joy
The day after the drawing, on July 20, 2023, Tru appeared at the Las Palmitas Mini Market, exuberantly celebrating in front of news crews, often too exhilarated to articulate her thoughts. She managed to affirm her status as the winner with a nod when questioned.
Outside, she reportedly fell to the ground, waving her arms joyfully before driving off in a BMW, according to media coverage at the time.
However, all of Tru’s declarations were deemed untrue, as Judge Upinder S. Kalra dismissed her case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.
Kalra concurred with MUSL’s stance that no contractual relationship ever existed and highlighted that the plaintiff’s claims were essentially “lacking in substance.”
The jackpot was awarded several months later to Yanira Alvarez, the legitimate ticket holder recognized by both MUSL and the California Lottery, following Tru’s televised celebrations.
Alvarez was announced as the winner in late March 2024 and opted for a lump-sum cash payment of $558.1 million before taxes rather than the annuity associated with the full jackpot.
Brief Spotlight
Following the incident, Tru created a website portraying herself as a “billionaire philanthropist” available for “motivational speaking” engagements. She also tried to market replicas of the hat she wore during her initial appearance at the store.
Tru’s behavior at the minimart raised suspicions and was pointed out by the granddaughter of the store owner, who remarked to The Daily Mail: “She didn’t actually win – I’m not clear on why she behaved that way. I assume she wanted her moment on TV.”