|
|
Man pleads guilty to altering lottery ticket
Insider Buzz: Man pleads guilty to altering lottery ticket
Rating:
A Buffalo, New York, man has admitted he altered a Mega Millions lottery ticket to make it look he'd won a $252 million jackpot.
The New York Lottery today announced that as a result of an investigation by the Lottery's Security Unit in cooperation with the New York State Police and the Erie County District Attorney's Office, 26-year-old Yann Spindler of Buffalo, entered a plea of guilty to charges of attempted Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, in connection with an altered Mega Millions ticket Spindler presented at the Lottery's Buffalo Customer Service Center on August 26, 2009.
Spindler, originally from Georgia, entered his guilty plea on February 23, 2010 after admitting to investigators that he used a computer to alter an official New York Lottery ticket for the August 25, 2009 Mega Millions drawing to make it look like it was a jackpot-winning ticket worth $252,000,000. There were no jackpot winning tickets sold for the Mega Millions drawing held on August 25, 2009.
Lottery surveillance cameras at the Lottery's Buffalo Customer Service Center show Spindler presenting what he claimed to be a jackpot-winning ticket to Lottery employees for payment on August 26, 2009. Trained Lottery employees immediately contacted security personnel who, in turn, partnered with the State Police and the office of Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III to investigate the matter. Upon his arrest, Spindler, a 2002 graduate of the New York State School for the Deaf, told police he altered the ticket because he wanted money to open a school for the deaf.
Lottery Director Gordon Medenica praised the coordinated efforts of the Lottery staff, State Police and Erie County District Attorney to bring this matter to a swift and decisive conclusion. "The New York Lottery remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of our games. I applaud the day-to-day efforts of Lottery staff statewide as well as the follow through demonstrated by the State Police and District Attorney's office. It confirms the strength of our internal controls and the support we receive from law enforcement authorities. Thanks to all for a job well done"
Spindler pleaded guilty to attempted Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor. With the Lottery's agreement, he was released on a conditional discharge.
 (Click to display full-size in gallery)
 (Click to display full-size in gallery)
Lottery Post Staff
We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums.
If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment.
40 comments. Last comment 5 months ago by .
NEW YORK United States Member #67336 November 8, 2008 377 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 25, 2010, 9:14 pm - IP Logged |
|
A Buffalo, New York, man has admitted he altered a Mega Millions lottery ticket to make it look he'd won a $252 million jackpot.
The New York Lottery today announced that as a result of an investigation by the Lottery's Security Unit in cooperation with the New York State Police and the Erie County District Attorney's Office, 26-year-old Yann Spindler of Buffalo, entered a plea of guilty to charges of attempted Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, in connection with an altered Mega Millions ticket Spindler presented at the Lottery's Buffalo Customer Service Center on August 26, 2009.
Spindler, originally from Georgia, entered his guilty plea on February 23, 2010 after admitting to investigators that he used a computer to alter an official New York Lottery ticket for the August 25, 2009 Mega Millions drawing to make it look like it was a jackpot-winning ticket worth $252,000,000. There were no jackpot winning tickets sold for the Mega Millions drawing held on August 25, 2009.
Lottery surveillance cameras at the Lottery's Buffalo Customer Service Center show Spindler presenting what he claimed to be a jackpot-winning ticket to Lottery employees for payment on August 26, 2009. Trained Lottery employees immediately contacted security personnel who, in turn, partnered with the State Police and the office of Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III to investigate the matter. Upon his arrest, Spindler, a 2002 graduate of the New York State School for the Deaf, told police he altered the ticket because he wanted money to open a school for the deaf.
Lottery Director Gordon Medenica praised the coordinated efforts of the Lottery staff, State Police and Erie County District Attorney to bring this matter to a swift and decisive conclusion. "The New York Lottery remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of our games. I applaud the day-to-day efforts of Lottery staff statewide as well as the follow through demonstrated by the State Police and District Attorney's office. It confirms the strength of our internal controls and the support we receive from law enforcement authorities. Thanks to all for a job well done"
Spindler pleaded guilty to attempted Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor. With the Lottery's agreement, he was released on a conditional discharge.
(Click to display full-size in gallery)
(Click to display full-size in gallery) Clearly he was not a lotto player as he would have known to check the site before attempting to cash the bogus ticket - some people just don't think !! 2010 is the YEAR to make it happen
|
|
|
New Jersey United States Member #18150 June 28, 2005 15580 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 25, 2010, 9:39 pm - IP Logged |
|
Big Brother is Watching: All the Time!
Moral to this Story: Don't try to Claim the Jackpot when their was No Jackpot Winner! A mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions!
|
|
|
Indiana United States Member #49185 January 7, 2007 1480 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 25, 2010, 9:44 pm - IP Logged |
|
What a fool. It's amazing people believe fooling the lottery into thinking you have a jackpot winning ticket is as easy as changing some numbers on the ticket. Oh no, there's no validation process. Gonna win.
|
|
|
Santa Ana United States Member #71664 February 20, 2009 486 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 25, 2010, 10:22 pm - IP Logged |
|
A Buffalo, New York, man has admitted he altered a Mega Millions lottery ticket to make it look he'd won a $252 million jackpot.
The New York Lottery today announced that as a result of an investigation by the Lottery's Security Unit in cooperation with the New York State Police and the Erie County District Attorney's Office, 26-year-old Yann Spindler of Buffalo, entered a plea of guilty to charges of attempted Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, in connection with an altered Mega Millions ticket Spindler presented at the Lottery's Buffalo Customer Service Center on August 26, 2009.
Spindler, originally from Georgia, entered his guilty plea on February 23, 2010 after admitting to investigators that he used a computer to alter an official New York Lottery ticket for the August 25, 2009 Mega Millions drawing to make it look like it was a jackpot-winning ticket worth $252,000,000. There were no jackpot winning tickets sold for the Mega Millions drawing held on August 25, 2009.
Lottery surveillance cameras at the Lottery's Buffalo Customer Service Center show Spindler presenting what he claimed to be a jackpot-winning ticket to Lottery employees for payment on August 26, 2009. Trained Lottery employees immediately contacted security personnel who, in turn, partnered with the State Police and the office of Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III to investigate the matter. Upon his arrest, Spindler, a 2002 graduate of the New York State School for the Deaf, told police he altered the ticket because he wanted money to open a school for the deaf.
Lottery Director Gordon Medenica praised the coordinated efforts of the Lottery staff, State Police and Erie County District Attorney to bring this matter to a swift and decisive conclusion. "The New York Lottery remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of our games. I applaud the day-to-day efforts of Lottery staff statewide as well as the follow through demonstrated by the State Police and District Attorney's office. It confirms the strength of our internal controls and the support we receive from law enforcement authorities. Thanks to all for a job well done"
Spindler pleaded guilty to attempted Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor. With the Lottery's agreement, he was released on a conditional discharge.
(Click to display full-size in gallery)
(Click to display full-size in gallery) I am at a loss as to why it took so long to find this out, I mean everything is computerize, this information should have been available within weeks. I hope he does some time so that if other lottery players are thinking of doing the same thing, they will have to do serious jail time.
|
|
|
Ohio United States Member #39629 May 12, 2006 383 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 25, 2010, 10:50 pm - IP Logged |
|
I wonder if thay can tack on a STUPIDITY IN THE 1ST DEGREE charge...lol
|
|
|
California United States Member #24251 October 17, 2005 84 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 25, 2010, 10:59 pm - IP Logged |
|
This guy shouldn't have kids
|
|
|
California United States Member #81456 October 7, 2009 65 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 25, 2010, 11:05 pm - IP Logged |
|
I am at a loss as to why it took so long to find this out, I mean everything is computerize, this information should have been available within weeks. I hope he does some time so that if other lottery players are thinking of doing the same thing, they will have to do serious jail time. "Spindler pleaded guilty to attempted Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor. With the Lottery's agreement, he was released on a conditional discharge."
I agree, he should spend at least a year in jail. However, it doesn't appear he will spend any time at all, incredible. 
I can't believe Spindle, regardless whether he's disabled or not, would be so stupid as to believe he could fool the Lottery Commission.
|
|
|
California United States Member #81456 October 7, 2009 65 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 25, 2010, 11:06 pm - IP Logged |
|
This guy shouldn't have kids LOL
|
|
|
Idaho United States Member #56982 November 21, 2007 3758 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 26, 2010, 12:35 am - IP Logged |
|
Some people will never learn. You can't get away with altering lottery tickets. "No one remembers the person who almost climbed the mountain, only the person who eventually gets to the top."
ThatScaryChick
|
|
|
Ridge Runner Tennessee United States Member #74415 April 28, 2009 2625 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 26, 2010, 12:57 am - IP Logged |
|
Only a misdemeanor for trying to steal 252 million dollars?
I'm surprised more people aren't trying it.
Sounds like it's worth the risk for a smart crook with a foolproof plan. "I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend."
~Thomas Jefferson~
|
|
|
United States Member #61779 May 17, 2008 176 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 26, 2010, 1:02 am - IP Logged |
|
What an idiot! At least the lottery commision busted him. Imagine he got away with it??!!! Now that would be the real crime IMO!! 2 yrs in jail minimum if u ask me, but he could probably plea it down..
|
|
|
Dallas, TX United States Member #60771 April 12, 2008 3364 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 26, 2010, 7:07 am - IP Logged |
|
The ticket is a receipt of combination bought. The system will know the date, time, location of the winning ticket (if there's one). Something like this cannot be photoshoped. LOL
|
|
|
Draws in More than One Way University of Georgia / Northern VA United States Member #83896 December 5, 2009 452 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 26, 2010, 8:29 am - IP Logged |
|
I wonder if he REALLY wanted to open a school for the deaf, or if that is just what he told police. Unless I state otherwise, I am referring to numbers in straight order.
I cannot predict lottery numbers, except that there will be no winning number tomorrow in Nevada.
In a lot of states, lotteries benefit education. That makes the REAL winners the only people who can't play!
|
|
|
Austin United States Member #9550 December 6, 2004 90 Posts Offline |
| Posted: February 26, 2010, 10:37 am - IP Logged |
|
So not only is he deaf, he is dumb as well!
|
|
|
|