The winner of one of the biggest Powerball jackpots of all time, Pedro Quezada, now has a huge debt to pay off - mostly to his kids. Quezada, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, who owned a local deli in Passaic, New Jersey befeore hearing the annoucement he won the lottery, reportedly owes $29,000 in overdue child support payments, the sheriff's office said onThursday, and Reuters reported. Quezada is 44, is a county resident who is married and father of five children whose ages range from 5 to 23. He was the lone winner of a $338 million jackpot last Sunday.
Because he chose the lump sum option, instead of annual payments over 30 years, he will actually receive $211 million, lottery officials said on Thursday.
Officials said that is the third-largest lump sum payment in Powerball history.
After federal and state taxes are taken out to about 28 percent, Quezada will be left with about $152 million. Until this week, he owned the Apple Deli and Grocery store.
His grocery story has a "for sale" sign on its door, Quezada told reporters on Tuesday. His business is now officially closed, he said
County Sheriff Richard Berdnik said in a statement that his office is attempting to notify Quezada about the support payment.
He said that generally the state's lottery division would pay the judgment out of the winnings.
"Like everyone else, until this warrant is satisfied, Mr. Quezada is subject to potential arrest," the statement said. The child support issue dates back to 2009, and news reports says that some of his children live in North Carolina, according to local media reports.
Quezada said that he planned to assist his relatives with his winnings.
"My family is a very humble family and we are going to help each other out." And he noted, "My life has changed. It will not change my heart."
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