Oregon Retail Employee Charged with Theft of $25,000 Winning Lottery Ticket
A retail employee at Short Stop convenience store in La Grande faces criminal charges after allegedly stealing a $25,000 winning Oregon Lottery ticket. The ticket was presented during a routine “Retail Integrity Check” conducted by the Oregon State Police (OSP) and the Oregon Lottery to ensure fair and secure lottery transactions.
On September 19, 2024, an undercover detective from OSP’s Lottery security section presented the winning ticket to an employee at the Short Stop on Gekeler Lane. According to OSP, the employee scanned the ticket, falsely claimed it had no winnings, and kept the ticket. Following the incident, the Oregon Lottery placed the ticket on hold, preventing anyone from immediately claiming the prize.
A week later, on September 26, the clerk attempted to redeem the ticket by mailing it in with a completed claim form and signed declaration. After an investigation, OSP Lottery detectives cited the employee on charges of Aggravated Theft 1 and Computer Crime, with additional charges of Theft by Deception and Forgery in the First Degree recommended to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
“While it is rare to see an individual be dishonest at one of our retailers, we have a responsibility to ensure our games are played with fairness and integrity,” said Justin Hedlund, Oregon Lottery’s assistant director of security. “These checks are one way we accomplish that.”
The Short Stop store has been an Oregon Lottery retailer since 2005 with no prior compliance issues. However, the Oregon Lottery regularly conducts undercover checks to ensure consumer trust across its retail network. Since 2020, OSP has conducted more than 170 of these checks as part of its ongoing partnership with the Oregon Lottery to uphold integrity and fairness in lottery operations.
A Retail Integrity Check is an undercover operation where OSP and the Oregon Lottery test the honesty of retailers by presenting a winning ticket to an employee without revealing its value. “The operation verifies if the employee will handle the ticket properly and inform the customer of their winnings,” explained Hedlund. These checks are vital for ensuring customers can trust the honesty of lottery retailers.
During the undercover operation at Short Stop, the detective presented a winning ticket worth $25,000. The employee, after scanning it, claimed falsely that there were no winnings and later attempted to redeem it, which led to the discovery of the alleged theft.
The Oregon Lottery emphasizes that players should sign the back of their lottery tickets to establish clear ownership. “Signing the back of a ticket can help prevent fraud and ensures that no one else can claim the prize,” Hedlund advised. If a winning ticket is unsigned, it’s easier for others to attempt to claim it fraudulently.
The Lottery’s efforts to secure integrity also include working closely with law enforcement agencies like OSP. Detectives are assigned specifically to the Lottery to help conduct these checks and investigate potential fraud. The Oregon Lottery’s collaboration with OSP is crucial in supporting the transparency and trustworthiness of its operations.
The case has highlighted the importance of routine integrity checks. “There is often a time element to fraud,” Hedlund noted, adding that people should be wary of “too good to be true” opportunities that create urgency. He advised players to research and consult experts before making decisions.
Since its establishment on April 25, 1985, the Oregon Lottery has generated more than $15.5 billion for state-funded programs, including public education, economic development, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. The Lottery’s contributions have significantly supported Oregon’s state programs, contributing to development and enhancing resources across the state.