Powerball winner Pedro Quezada is rich, but can’t collect all his money until he pays off $29,000 in outstanding child support
The Passaic County Sheriff is trying to track down Quezada, and so are his long-lost family members, the media, and people attracted by his new fortune
THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013, 1:32 PM
Pedro Quezada, a New Jersey bodega owner who struck it rich by winning Powerball, celebrates his lottery victory during a press conference on Tuesday. But the Passaic County Sheriff says Quezada can’t claim his bounty, $338 million, until he pays off $29,000 in outstanding child support.
The whole world wants to know where rags-to-riches mega-millionaire Pedro Quezada is hiding — including the Passaic County Sheriff.
Quezada, 45, who made history Tuesday as the winner of the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot of all time — $338 million — owes $29,000 in child support payments, authorities said.
And Quezada, a bodega owner who immigrated to New Jersey from the Dominican Republic, can’t live the high life until he settles the old score with the state.
Officers from the Passaic County Sheriff’s department stopped by Quezada’s apartment on School St. in Passaic Wednesday — but the family had split on Monday, right after learning of their incredible reversal of fortune.
Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik said the outstanding $29,000 has to be paid before Quezada can cash out.
“The Sheriff’s Office Warrant Squad is attempting to notify Mr. Quezada about the issue in an effort to have it resolved in a timely manner,” Sheriff Berdnik said in a statement.
COREY SIPKIN/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
The town of Jarabacoa, in the Dominican Republic, where Quezada was raised.
“Because of Mr. Quezada’s large winnings, generally the New Jersey Division of Lottery would satisfy the judgment before all of the winnings are released. Like everyone else, until this warrant is satisfied, Mr. Quezada is subject to potential arrest,” Berdnik said.
Quezada, who hasn’t been seen since Tuesday, has five children — some of whom live in North Carolina, he said during Tuesday’s press conference to announce his winning ticket. It was not immediately clear to whom the outstanding payments are supposed to be made.
Authorities are not alone in looking for Quezada — random people drawn to his sudden fortune are coming out of the woodwork to give him advice.
One, a financial planner, drove to Passaic from Virginia on Thursday to leave his card at Quezada’s door.
“I figured I’d take a shot and see what’s going on,” said Sal Pena, 55. “I just want five minutes of his time.”
Pena, who’s also from the Dominican Republic, left his home at 3:45 a.m. and drove to School Street in Passaic. He found Quezada’s house by looking for reporters — and then following them inside.
COREY SIPKIN/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
The home of Eliana Quesada, the Powerball multi-millionaire’s neice.
“You never know unless you try,” said Pena.
The Virginian is one of many Dominicans anxious for a glimpse of their new, no-longer-working-class hero. Relatives and friends Quezada left behind in Jarabacao, the Dominican town where he grew up, can’t wait to see him.
“His story is like a soap opera,” old family friend Francisco Obrero, 68, told the Daily News. “It should be called ‘From Nothing to Everything.’ ”
Quezada grew up in a cramped, one-story, wooden house with his parents and four siblings, Colon recalled.
The new millionaire left for New York 26 years ago, leaving heartbroken girlfriend Juana Velen German — who dated Quezada for three years, beginning when they were about 17. She spoke for her entire community in the Dominican Republic when she praised his character, cheered his good fortune and hailed his humility.
“I felt very happy to see he won the lottery,” said German, 44. “He had always been very humble. He deserves this blessing more than anyone. He is making everyone here very happy.”
The Passaic County Sheriff is trying to track down Quezada, and so are his long-lost family members, the media, and people attracted by his new fortune
THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013, 1:32 PM
Pedro Quezada, a New Jersey bodega owner who struck it rich by winning Powerball, celebrates his lottery victory during a press conference on Tuesday. But the Passaic County Sheriff says Quezada can’t claim his bounty, $338 million, until he pays off $29,000 in outstanding child support.
The whole world wants to know where rags-to-riches mega-millionaire Pedro Quezada is hiding — including the Passaic County Sheriff.
Quezada, 45, who made history Tuesday as the winner of the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot of all time — $338 million — owes $29,000 in child support payments, authorities said.
And Quezada, a bodega owner who immigrated to New Jersey from the Dominican Republic, can’t live the high life until he settles the old score with the state.
Officers from the Passaic County Sheriff’s department stopped by Quezada’s apartment on School St. in Passaic Wednesday — but the family had split on Monday, right after learning of their incredible reversal of fortune.
Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik said the outstanding $29,000 has to be paid before Quezada can cash out.
“The Sheriff’s Office Warrant Squad is attempting to notify Mr. Quezada about the issue in an effort to have it resolved in a timely manner,” Sheriff Berdnik said in a statement.
COREY SIPKIN/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
The town of Jarabacoa, in the Dominican Republic, where Quezada was raised.
“Because of Mr. Quezada’s large winnings, generally the New Jersey Division of Lottery would satisfy the judgment before all of the winnings are released. Like everyone else, until this warrant is satisfied, Mr. Quezada is subject to potential arrest,” Berdnik said.
Quezada, who hasn’t been seen since Tuesday, has five children — some of whom live in North Carolina, he said during Tuesday’s press conference to announce his winning ticket. It was not immediately clear to whom the outstanding payments are supposed to be made.
Authorities are not alone in looking for Quezada — random people drawn to his sudden fortune are coming out of the woodwork to give him advice.
One, a financial planner, drove to Passaic from Virginia on Thursday to leave his card at Quezada’s door.
“I figured I’d take a shot and see what’s going on,” said Sal Pena, 55. “I just want five minutes of his time.”
Pena, who’s also from the Dominican Republic, left his home at 3:45 a.m. and drove to School Street in Passaic. He found Quezada’s house by looking for reporters — and then following them inside.
COREY SIPKIN/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
The home of Eliana Quesada, the Powerball multi-millionaire’s neice.
“You never know unless you try,” said Pena.
The Virginian is one of many Dominicans anxious for a glimpse of their new, no-longer-working-class hero. Relatives and friends Quezada left behind in Jarabacao, the Dominican town where he grew up, can’t wait to see him.
“His story is like a soap opera,” old family friend Francisco Obrero, 68, told the Daily News. “It should be called ‘From Nothing to Everything.’ ”
Quezada grew up in a cramped, one-story, wooden house with his parents and four siblings, Colon recalled.
The new millionaire left for New York 26 years ago, leaving heartbroken girlfriend Juana Velen German — who dated Quezada for three years, beginning when they were about 17. She spoke for her entire community in the Dominican Republic when she praised his character, cheered his good fortune and hailed his humility.
“I felt very happy to see he won the lottery,” said German, 44. “He had always been very humble. He deserves this blessing more than anyone. He is making everyone here very happy.”
