Pedro Quezada, the New Jersey father of five who won a $338 million Powerball jackpot, owes $29,000 in back child support and could be arrested until he pays up, authorities have revealed.
Authorities in Passaic County, New Jersey, where Pedro Quezada lives and owns a bodega, say they paid a visit to the 44-year-old to inform him that he needed to pay up “in a timely manner”.
On Tuesday, Pedro Quezada claimed his winnings in Tenton – a $152 million lump sum after taxes.
Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik told the North Jersey Record that the New Jersey Lottery Division generally pays out a winner’s back taxes and child support before cutting a check.
However, Richard Berdnik said Pedro Quezada still owes money to the mother of his children.
“Like everyone else, until this warrant is satisfied, Mr. Quezada is subject to potential arrest,” the sheriff warned.
Pedro Quezada has five children who range in age from 5 to 23.
During his short public appearance earlier this week, Pedro Quezada said some of his children live with their mother in North Carolina.
Pedro Quezada, who immigrated from the Dominican Republic 26 years ago, said his family was poor, but he did not speak about the financial troubles he had had.
The Record reports that in 2009 Pedro Quezada’s bodega burned down.
That same year, the bank foreclosed on a property he had purchased three years earlier.
Pedro Quezada said he planned to buy himself a new car and get his wife “whatever she wants”.
Neighbors say they saw the family moving out of their apartment in Passaic earlier this week.
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