Lottery rip-offs not uncommon

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) - Lottery winners are ripped off by store clerks more often than you might think.

A Texas man, Willis Willis, who prosecutors said recently lost a $1 million jackpot to a fugitive store clerk was not the only victim. Nearly a dozen cases were sent to prosecutors in the 2009 - three in Pflugerville alone.

Ashley Nichols of Pflugerville had no idea clerks have been ripping off lotto winners until she heard about the case of Willis Willis out of Grand Prairie.

"It’s actually kind of sad,” said Nichols. “That’s why I do a double take, look at them, and I watch the clerk.”

Nichols also had no idea she could have been a victim. She often hopes she will buy a winning ticket from the Murphy USA gas station at the Pflugerville Wal-Mart. A clerk at that same station was fired for stealing lotto winnings in 2009. The store agreed to a plea deal and was issued a warning after two reports that the clerk failed to pay the rightful winner.

"Any criminal violations would be referred to local authorities for possible prosecution, and anything involving administrative penalties or violations would be handled by the agency," said Bobby Heith with the Texas Lottery Commission.

The Texas Lottery Commission can issue a warning or revoke the sales license of the store. Prosecutors investigated another Pflugerville store, Express Lane Grocery, for failing to pay a winner. The owners voluntarily canceled their license and sold the business to new owners, so the Travis County DA's Office declined to prosecute. The new owners have not had any additional complaints.

While there are more than 16,000 Texas Lotto retailers and only 10 cases that went to prosecutors this year, some still worry about clerks stealing winnings.

"I usually ask someone to double check it for me just in case," said Nichols.

To protect yourself, sign the back of the ticket and, when it doubt, call the Texas Lottery Commission.