THREE CONVICTED OF FELONY LOTTERY FRAUD AS RESULT OF COMPLIANCE CHECKS

By News Team
ads@fillmorecountyjournal.com

Mon, Aug 3rd, 2009
Posted in State of Minnesota

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ST. PAUL - Six of eight individuals charged by the Ramsey County Attorney's Office in March with lottery fraud have entered guilty pleas, three of those have been convicted of felonies, and three others each received one-year diversions. The original charges stem from arrests made as a result of compliance checks conducted by officials from the Minnesota State Lottery's security office and agents of the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division (AGED) of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Agents made unannounced visits to retail locations during December and January. At each location, agents presented a specially constructed lottery ticket that appeared to be a winner and asked the clerk to verify that it was a winning ticket. Of 186 stores visited, retail clerks at five stores did not return the ticket to the agent, but attempted to claim the prize at Lottery headquarters.

"We believe these convictions are appropriate, and that coupled with ongoing compliance checks they send a clear message to retailers to maintain integrity in these games," says John Willems, director of AGED. Disposition of the cases include:

· Jaideep Singh, lottery fraud and conspiracy felony convictions; five years probation; 100 hours community service; $200 fine; abstain from alcohol/chemical use

· Asgaralli Ali, lottery fraud and conspiracy felony convictions; one year, stay of imposition; four years probation; 10 days workhouse; $150 fine

· Jairam Shiwmangal, lottery fraud felony conviction; one year, stay of imposition; three years probation; 100 hours community service

· Majdi Almadien, Susan Hanna and Harpreet Virk each received a one-year diversion.

Of the remaining defendants, Mohamed Ahmed is scheduled for trial in September, and Nancy Youseff remains at-large and a bench warrant has been issued.

According to Lottery officials, if players are unsure if a ticket is a winner, it can be scanned at one of the more than 2,100 ticket checkers at retail locations across the state. Persons with complaints relating to security or integrity of the Lottery or its games may contact the Lottery at 651-635-8273 (press 2) or via e-mail at lottery@mnlottery.com.

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