Scamming store owner loses lottery license

Dec 20, 2014, 10:55 pm (88 comments)

Massachusetts Lottery

RD's Deli and Market in Melrose, Massachusetts, will no longer be selling lottery tickets now that its owner has been accused of trying to scam a mentally disabled woman out of her winnings.

The woman bought a winning ticket worth $10,000 at the convenience store, but when she went to redeem it, the store's owner allegedly told her that the prize was only $1,000, and gave her $950 in cash.

Separate from the attempt to scam the woman, handing out that much cash is, in itself, a violation, as prizes over $600 must be claimed at one of six regional lottery office locations.

Finding it fishy, the woman told a family member about the interaction; the relative then got in touch with the Massachusetts State Lottery and provided identifying details about the ticket. Lottery officials were able to confirm that it had been sold at RD'S Deli and Market, and questioned the owner, who they say admitted to taking the ticket.

Luckily, he hadn't redeemed it yet.

The ticket was then returned to the woman, who claimed the prize on December 16.

Following a hearing at lottery headquarters on Dec. 11, the store's lottery license has been "indefinitely suspended," though lottery officials are looking to permanently terminate it.

Melrose Police and Massachusetts State Police are assisting in the investigation.

Wire Reports

Comments

mikeintexas's avatarmikeintexas

I like to think there's an extra-warm corner of Hell for those who prey upon folks like this woman, as well as those who take advantage of the elderly.

savagegoose's avatarsavagegoose

i hope there's a fair copy of hell on earth here for the evil git, before he ever tries the immortal one.

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

I'm glad this woman got her money back and hopefully this jerk gets his license permanently revoked and some jail time.

mrcraft's avatarmrcraft

This greedy SOB.  I bet what gave it away was telling her she won $1,000 but only giving her $950.

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

This may not be his first rodeo. A year in jail and $10k restitution, sounds just fine to me.

noise-gate

Since the article does not name of the owner who did the deed, l could not help thinking of a name we all familiar with...yeah that one : Patel.

cbr$'s avatarcbr$

A scam is bad enough . To scan a mentally disabled person is real low! This is plain & simple greed. Put these people in the Hall of shame, next to family who name start with a {P} which cheated players.No No

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Cussing Face guys like this are the reason we need to bring back these kinds of punishment

fja's avatarfja

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Dec 20, 2014

Since the article does not name of the owner who did the deed, l could not help thinking of a name we all familiar with...yeah that one : Patel.

It was the owner that scammed her and his name is Chang Cho....No No

sully16's avatarsully16

Quote: Originally posted by ThatScaryChick on Dec 20, 2014

I'm glad this woman got her money back and hopefully this jerk gets his license permanently revoked and some jail time.

I agree, jail time for sure.

PrinceRene

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Dec 20, 2014

Since the article does not name of the owner who did the deed, l could not help thinking of a name we all familiar with...yeah that one : Patel.

wow....racist much?????

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by mikeintexas on Dec 20, 2014

I like to think there's an extra-warm corner of Hell for those who prey upon folks like this woman, as well as those who take advantage of the elderly.

I agree. Scammers are one thing, but taking advantage of someone like this is horrendous.

lucky6025

said in the article that State is considering taking lottery sales away permanent....THINKING,WHATS WRONG WITH YOU??????this should be a NO BRAINER!!! TAKE his license,take him to court and fine him and maybe jail or at least probation and put this on his record for life.People that use this store should stop going there and let him suffer and maybe lose his store.Other then that maybe bring back PUBLIC STONING to be held at Shafer Stadium on Sundays admition $5.00 plus (3) stones $5.00 all proceeds to go to helping disadvatanged children.

Teddi's avatarTeddi

My only question is why is termination even a question. This guy violated about a half a dozen vendor rules and some laws. Forget suspension. This isn't even a he said/she said dispute. He admitted to scamming a mentally challenged woman. There is no argument he can bring to justify his actions except pure greed. He shouldn't be ever trusted with a license again. Next!

Subscribe to this news story