Media

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

CONTACT: FLORIDA LOTTERY COMMUNICATIONS
(850) 487-7727

FLORIDA LOTTERY RETAIL CLERK ARRESTED

TALLAHASSEE - As part of the Florida Lottery's ongoing retailer compliance initiative, agents with the Lottery's Division of Security conducted 30 separate compliance checks this week across five counties, one of which led to the arrest of a retail clerk.

Store manager Adnan Rushdi Al-Hattab, of Creek Stop & Deli, located at 3050 Highway 71 North in Wewahitchka, was arrested and charged with unlawful assignment or transfer of right to claim prize, which is a misdemeanor. Al-Hattab was presented with a $1,000 winning Scratch-Off ticket by an undercover agent. He offered to purchase the ticket for $500 and was arrested once the transaction was complete.

During three other compliance checks, clerks suggested ways to avoid paying state owed debts to our undercover agents. The Florida Lottery is sending warning letters to those three retail locations.

These sting operations are part of the Lottery's continuing commitment to heighten awareness of what we do as an organization and to combat illegal activity. 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 $30 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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