Media

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

CONTACT: FLORIDA LOTTERY COMMUNICATIONS
(850) 487-7727

HUDSON LOTTERY RETAIL CLERK ARRESTED

TALLAHASSEE - Agents with the Florida Lottery's Division of Security conducted an undercover investigation that led to the March 29 arrest of a Florida Lottery retail clerk. The retailer was terminated on March 31.

Store clerk Rasilaben Patel, 37, of Jai Madi, LLC, located at 15434 US Highway 19 North in Hudson, was arrested and charged with Organized Scheme to Defraud. Patel was scratching lottery tickets to expose play data and placing the scratched tickets back in the dispenser for sale to customers.

The Florida Lottery will not tolerate fraudulent activity by our players or retailers. The Florida Lottery's Division of Security works to identify and take action against criminal behavior involving its retailers. If you notice any suspicious activity involving a Lottery retailer or your Lottery purchase, contact your local law enforcement agency or the Lottery's Division of Security immediately at (850) 487-7730. The earlier you report suspicious activity the easier it is to investigate.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY

The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $31 billion to education and sending more than 750,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 98 percent of its revenue back into Florida's economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,000 Florida retailers and transfers to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid more than $52.4 billion in prizes and made more than 1,900 people millionaires. For more information, please visit www.flalottery.com.

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