A United States Postal Service employee was arrested last week for allegedly stealing a winning Pick 4 Florida lottery ticket that was sent through the mail and claiming the prize, according to the state’s lottery.
The Florida Lottery Division of Security and the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General launched a joint investigation after a Florida Lottery player reported that a winning ticket she had sent through the mail never reached its intended destination, the Florida Lottery said in a statement Friday.
Investigators learned the ticket was redeemed on July 19 at a Florida Lottery office in Miami by Lakaysha Lockhart, who was later identified as a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, officials said.
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Lockhart was arrested on July 23 and later admitted to stealing the ticket and redeeming it, according to the Florida Lottery.
The Pick-4 ticket was valued at $2,600, Florida Lottery said.
“Our players deserve confidence that every Lottery prize is protected through strong security measures and diligent oversight,” Reginald D. Dixon, secretary of the Florida Lottery, said.
Lockhart is being charged with grand theft, dealing in stolen property, filing a false claim for payment, two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communications device and mail theft, Florida Lottery said.
“Every ticket purchased supports education in Florida, and we remain committed to ensuring players can participate with confidence knowing that the integrity of our games is our top priority,” Florida Lottery said in a statement to ABC News.
