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A high-stakes legal battle over one of Powerball's biggest jackpots has now come to a definitive end. A California judge has dismissed a woman's claim to the seventh-largest Powerball jackpot of all time, which happens to be $1.08 billion.
With this dismissal, it closes the door on a case that questioned who was truly entitled to the life-changing payout. The ruling not only settles the dispute but also reinforces how tightly regulated and difficult to challenge the lottery claims process can be.
Powerball lawsuit dismissed
On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Upinder S. Kalra dismissed a lawsuit filed by Stacy Tru. The lawsuit claimed she was entitled to the $1.08 billion jackpot from the July 19, 2023, drawing.
Tru was seeking the entire prize along with interest retroactive to October 15, 2023. That is the date she claims she made a claim for the money and was denied. She was suing the Multi-State Lottery Association, which is in charge of Powerball, and the California State Lottery Commission for the payment.
This is a win for the MUSL and the California Lottery, since Judge Kalra said the case was being dismissed “with prejudice.” This means the case cannot be revived.
The MUSL case
The MUSL is a nonprofit, government-benefit association that is owned and operated by agreement of its 34 member lotteries. It was created to facilitate the operation of multi-state lottery games, including Powerball.
The lawyers for the MUSL stated that Tru had failed in two amended complaints to present a viable lawsuit that could move forward. They stated she was just offering “threadbare” claims.
California Lottery's case
In May 2025, the Attorney General's Office in California asked for the case to be dismissed. Tru claimed there was a breach of contract, but California officials state she didn't even attach a copy of the contract she alleges the commission has breached to her complaint.
They stated that because Tru never attached a copy of the contract and didn't provide the terms of the contract verbatim, or show how the terms of that contract were breached, then her breach of contract claims should be thrown out.
However, in August 2025, Judge Kalra declined that request and ruled the lawsuit can continue as is. At the time, the judge did state that Tru would have to strengthen her claim and provide more evidence.
Original claims
The original lawsuit was filed by Tru on January 28, 2025. She was claiming that she was entitled to the $1.08 billion Powerball jackpot that was won in California on July 19, 2023.
While Tru was claiming to have won this jackpot, another California woman had already stepped forward and claimed the jackpot. The California Lottery reviewed her claim and issued the money to her.
Yanira Alvarez was the lucky winner. She purchased the winning ticket from Las Palmitas Mini Market in Los Angeles.
Enjoy playing the California Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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