Newport News, Va. - A Newport News man who claimed a Shell gas station store clerk stole hundreds of dollars from his Virginia Lottery winnings fears he will never get his money after lottery officials told him they will not be issuing another prize to compensate him for the loss.
"I think it sucks," said Jack Lavoie, who played the lottery at the service station on Ivy Farm Road in Newport News nearly every day for 20 years.
"It was like they were very good friends," said Lavoie. "Give me the money! That's all! Give me what I won!"
According to Lavoie, his lucky numbers aligned for a $600 prize in March, but clerk Susan Perez tricked him into think he had won $40. He said she pocketed $560 of his winnings. He contacted the Virginia Lottery to investigate.
"It is our allegation that miss Perez stole from him," said John Hagerty, spokesperson for the Virginia Lottery. "But that hasn't been proven in court yet and until it is, she still gets her day in court."
"A prize cannot be paid twice," Hagerty continued. "It's our hope that if she is found guilty, the court would order restitution."
"I think it sucks!" said Lavoie in response to the lottery's stance. "Why am I out of $560 dollars when I've been religious to the lottery and paid a lot money to them."
Perez's next court date is set for December, where a trial date will be set.
