Lottery Ticket Isn’t a Winner After All

 Posted on May 29, 2012 in White collar crime

Leandria Williams showed up at the Des Plaines lottery claim office on April 4 with what appeared to be a winning ticket for the record $656 million Mega Millions lottery that was drawn March 30. But instead of walking away with millions, Williams ended up posting $10,000 for bail.

Even though the ticket had all the winning numbers, records showed that none of the three winning tickets were purchased in the Chicago area. Williams lives in Elgin. Lottery records show that Willams’ ticket was purchased shortly after 10:00 p.m.on March 30; eight minutes after the winning numbers were drawn. She also turned in a false email receipt, altered to make it appear that the ticket had been purchased prior to the drawing.

Officials with the lottery told Williams she would need to fill out a claim form that would need to be sent to Springfield for verification. According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, once Williams filled out the form and submitted her documents, an investigator from the lottery department contacted the Cook County sheriff’s office.

Williams again met with lottery officials on April 16, but this time police were also present. She was arrested and initially charged with wire fraud for falsifying documents. The sheriff’s office has since added attempted theft and forgery to the charges. Officials have said that Williams’ con was the first in Illinois lottery history.

If she is found guilty of these charges, Williams will have felony convictions on her record. If you are arrested and charged with any kind of crime, especially a crime with such serious potential consequences, contact an experienced Cook County attorney to represent you.