Woman found guilty of stealing winning lottery ticket

Comment #70

CASH Only — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 16:37:23 GMT

WGN is a Superstation (like Ted Turner's from Atlanta), so it doesn't necessarily focus on IL.

Comment #69

csfb — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 14:31:39 GMT

The elements of theft or larceny are as follows:1. Taking of personal property - Example: lottery ticket was taken from another person.2. The taking was without permission of the owner - Example: lottery ticket was taken beyond what was permitted. Ticket should have been returned.3. Asportation - moving the personal property from one place to another, no matter how short the distance. Example: ticket may have been moved from one place to another.4. Specific intent on the part of the taker

Comment #68

Iesha Kelly — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 04:39:26 GMT

is it just me, or is that how most video cameras are today -- except for the ones attempting to catch upskirts? a lot of 'for show', but when the video is actually needed, it doesn't exist.but the real thing is that, as was posted above you by time treat, the ticket IS the video camera. time treat broke that down perfectly.

Comment #67

Iesha Kelly — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 04:30:41 GMT

exactly. this woman was so in the wrong, it's disturbing.

Comment #66

Raven62 — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 21:00:21 GMT

You only get to make a good first impression once, and I did not get a good first impression. (or 2nd, or 3rd)In the thread following the news post announcing the start of the trial the consensus was that of a lynch mob (hanging without due process of law) instead of a fair trial (the judicial examination of a case in a court of law) for the defendant.I received a PM from another Lottery Post Member in regard to the the beginning of the trial, so after reading the entire thread I decided to repl... [ More ]

Comment #65

libra926 — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 18:41:04 GMT

Hi Rick RJ,....12/20/05As I wrote to Awesome2000 a few days ago, many of us initially formulated our opinions from the information provided in the two(2) combined stories about this incident reg: Dora Leal and those accountings didn't go into full detail of the incident as he did in his Postings.....I told him having read all his Postings....I for one stand corrected, Leal didn't deserve any defense. But, the stories never gave the total picture of what actually happened....I am pleased he d... [ More ]

Comment #64

Raven62 — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 16:46:25 GMT

God's gift to the world.

Comment #63

time*treat — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 16:11:30 GMT

Exactly. I meant internal time stamps at the central office (CO). Plus the physical tickets have control numbers on the front AND back. If these guys used 5 or 10 playslips, all 25 or 50 of their numbers were produced together. The CO would know these tickets (and the winner) were purchased together. Once that ticket was validated again with it's 'siblings', she was toast like quiznos. This is the kind of person who would take their cell phone to a hold-up and wonder how they got caught.... [ More ]

Comment #62

konane — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 14:56:52 GMT

It seems that with or without a time stamp on the ticket, lotteries would have a record in their internal data base of when a particular ticket was sold, and that information could be subpoenaed.

Comment #61

CASH Only — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 14:43:18 GMT

Only this year NY online tickets started using a time-stamp.

Comment #60

time*treat — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 23:50:38 GMT

They wouldn't need any witnessess, cameras, etc. The time-stamp is the witness. The winning ticket was most likely validated milliseconds before and after other tickets the group purchased. That and a photo copy of just some of the tickets would be pretty good proof.

Comment #59

RJOh — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 22:25:06 GMT

I think what we have here are a bunch of people who themselves are free loaders and thieves expressing an opinion from their point of view. They would probably do the same thing if they had a chance and would expect some sympathy if they got caught because they actually believe people who work and earn what they own have had all the breaks that they never had.These are the kinds of people I like to stay as far away from as possible.

Comment #58

konane — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 21:29:58 GMT

Comment #57

Rick G — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 21:06:08 GMT

The JURY found her guilty. The excuse of a poor defense is just that, a poor excuse, just as her sick dog and other stories made up in the defense in her case.I really don't understand the BLIND defense of this woman on this forum. She was caught red-handed, video cameras or not. Are you insinuating that all witnesses in trials are liars? You put your hand on a bible and take the oath. All of these people felt like lying on the witness stand risking jail time for perjury? I think not.I hope to G... [ More ]

Comment #56

Raven62 — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 19:01:18 GMT

Crime Scene

Comment #55

awesomo2000 — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 19:20:01 GMT

We tried to get the video. Turns out they haven't recorded anything on their camera since 1997. The camera is only for show.

Comment #54

time*treat — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 12:55:31 GMT

The ticket is the video. Let's say you take 50 tickets in for validation. I'm sure there is a PC somewhere saying ticket number x, validated at store y, worth amout z, validation time-and-date. <-- probably to tenths of a second.It is highly unlikely that you would:a. validate tickets 1 through 23 thenb. get out of line thenc. someone else gets in line, has the winner, finallyd. you get back in line and validate tickets 24-50. Opps, only $17.00 won, guys!the time-date stamp will show the lag (or... [ More ]

Comment #53

awesomo2000 — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 00:22:00 GMT

Libra,Are you related to Dora, or simply playing Devil's advocate? She had an entire store full of people who witnessed her win the ticket and take possession of it. We put a lien on the ticket after it was lost so that Dora couldn't try to cash it. So, she never tried to cash it because after we found out about her plan we took that option away from her. Get it? After winning in the store, she went around to everyone still in the store and said something like, Please don't say anything... [ More ]

Comment #52

RJOh — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 23:40:07 GMT

She was convicted of lying about never having the winning ticket that witnesses testified she checked at the store terminal and was told it was a big winner which she never told the actual owners of the ticket. Had she just lost the ticket and told her boss she confirmed it was a winner before she misplaced it, the real owners using their photo copy of the tickets could have collected their money two years ago and there would have never been a trial.I'm sure if the real ticket owners had not ha... [ More ]

Comment #51

DirtyWrat — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 23:24:02 GMT

It's easy to lay the blame on someone else. People need to take responsibility for their actions.RJOh is right; she's a crook who got caught, and she needs to do some time.

Comment #50

libra926 — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 22:54:03 GMT

12/15/05 RJ .........Where does it say that the Prosecution was able to prove that she stole the winning ticket and has it in her possession???....She never personally claimed the winnings...She claims she lost the ticket.....Her Defense Team was poor, I'll give you that.....And I'm not sanctioning stealing anything.......

Comment #49

emilyg — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 18:35:24 GMT

Comment #48

RJOh — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 18:33:25 GMT

Even when Cleveland's Elecia Battle falsely claimed she lost the $162,000,0000 MegaMillion ticket, she never touched or signed the ticket or claimed the money but she broke laws and was punished. When Dora Leal tried to steal those lottery winnings, her scheme was a crime and she should be punished. I get the idea from some of the comments made that some people think stealing lottery winnings isn't the same as stealing real money and people who try it aren't real crooks. Trying to steal anyth... [ More ]

Comment #47

awesomo2000 — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 16:46:30 GMT

Your analogy with the check is exactly the same analagy he lawyer used. Only she said a lottery ticket would be similar to a check made out to cash, that someone stole from you. Only, while it can be canceled so the thief may not be paid, it can only in select situations be rewritten (we got lucky). We did put a lien on the ticket when this happened. We sent the commission a statement, which we all signed. This, coupled with a police report, convinced the lottery commission to refrain from

Comment #46

awesomo2000 — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 16:13:05 GMT

The only communications you have entered into since I called you an idiot have been to expose me as a liar. Give up your vendetta Raven. Also, as you noticed before, it is true that I joined this forum specifically to discuss this case. Never had a reason to post on a lottery forum before. I have actually never posted on any forum before this. Analyze that line. I found this forum as I was searching the internet to see if they used my name in any of the articles, as my friend told me. I... [ More ]

Comment #45

sambo — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 06:27:12 GMT

Raven,In the other thread related to the Leal case, the first part of your first post was, 'Except in this forum where she is Guilty until proven Guilty...' In another post you staunchly defended Dora Leal on the grounds that she deserved the benefit of the doubt. I agree with that line of thinking, but if you're such a champion for giving people the benefit of the doubt, why don't you give awesomo2000 the same consideration? Sounds hypocritical to me.

Comment #44

whitmansm2 — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 04:27:37 GMT

A fellow with the smallest mind is the one who is usually most willing to give someone a piece of it.Sorry. Had to pull a Raven LOLI'm kidding! I like your psycho-anaylzing little one liners. Their cute.hehehe

Comment #43

Raven62 — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 03:16:27 GMT

People that are mad enter into communication using insults.

Comment #42

truecritic — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 03:04:12 GMT

awesomo2000There are problems with making analogies in the legal system - setting that aside. Suppose you gave her a check for $190 to go and purchase the tickets. A check would be similar to a lottery ticket. It can be altered and exchanged for cash. Then suppose she lost the check. Would you then have her arrested because you believe - due to inconsistencies - but with no real proof - that she pocketed the check? Or would you just stop payment on the check and perhaps fire her?Some peopl... [ More ]

Comment #41

Raven62 — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 03:03:58 GMT

You are a lottery player right? What is the probability that one of the actual Traders would appear at Lottery Post to discuss the case? Pretty low considering the population of the Earth.When it comes to communication both written and spoken semantics plays an important part, particularly the way words are used or misused. The study of Human Behavior tells us that when attempting to deceive another, unnecessary adjectives will be used (such as actual) to validate what the deceiver knows in the... [ More ]

Comment #40

BabyJC — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 02:53:57 GMT

This was a failed theft of $175,000. Her witnessed signature on the back of the ticket would prove that, hence Dora likely put it through the paper shredder! Trying to excuse her criminal actions on being upset over a dog (and also trying to compare a dog to a baby) is just pathetic. Jail, where she is, is exactly where she belongs

Comment #39

danamukie$ — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 01:25:18 GMT

Thanks Dora now look what you did, Now this is what people all over america will think of Leal why don't you use your married name

Comment #38

danamukie$ — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 01:17:19 GMT

I agree

Comment #37

danamukie$ — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 01:08:42 GMT

Sure but was it worth all the embaressment, not only did she humiliate herself but her whole family.She should serve time just for ruining the Leal name

Comment #36

awesomo2000 — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 01:06:35 GMT

I actually posed this very question to the Assistant to the State's Attorney. I, like you, was unsure of the legality of charging someone with larceny if the ticket had yet to be claimed for money. She assured me that a lottery ticket, being a bearer share which means that anyone who bears it owns it, is the same as the cash equivalent of its winning prize. Therefore once she attempted to steal the ticket, whether she was successful in cashing it in or not, she committed grand larceny. The b... [ More ]

Comment #35

danamukie$ — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 01:03:02 GMT

how about if it was your money would you feel the same way? probably not

Comment #34

Rick G — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 23:21:52 GMT

My final comment on this is...she looked guilty as sin coming out of the courthouse yesterday. If I was accused of this and innocent, you can bet I'd be talking to every camera and microphone within 100 feet. She couldn't do it. She stared at the sidewalk and slithered to her attorney's car. I don't see an appeal in this case.Our justice system might have its problems, but it served its purpose in this case. The JURY decided it, not the DA, Defense Attorneys or Judge or money.And that IS the Ame... [ More ]

Comment #33

Greg — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 23:14:37 GMT

Always require photocopies of all tickets be given to all pool members way BEFORE the drawing.

Comment #32

fxsterling — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 22:51:33 GMT

awesoom2000 i worked at the bot pools all over .i would run for traders and if they won every one won most people will never have that feeling or trust at a job prob988 sounds like a trader also

Comment #31

Prob988 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 22:40:00 GMT

Thank you awesomo2000 for your details on this case.I certainly would never call you a liar. Clearly you are telling the truth. Some people are just...well...don't worry about it.Thanks. Interesting.

Comment #30

awesomo2000 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 22:36:32 GMT

He's mad cause I called him an idiot yesterday.

Comment #29

JAZZY JASPER — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 22:33:10 GMT

No matter how you cut it, it's sad!Rich crooks, get away with millions daily.Heaven help, a poor person who, even tries.I have always found it interesting the the amount of money and energy,readily exspened,too make sure poor people never get something for nothing.Right or wrong its sad

Comment #28

Rick G — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 22:23:23 GMT

Raven,The word actually appearing in Awesome's post is YOU playing with semantics in a big way.The judgement came against her as it should have and the background that Awesome has provided precludes your conspiracy theory that Awesome had nothing to do with it. He/she was the first one to say that she was found guilty on this thread, and I already knew it this morning when I read this thread, also being from the Chicago area and getting the same newscasts. No one in this thread seemed to know... [ More ]

Comment #27

awesomo2000 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 22:14:30 GMT

Nobie,I agree with you that we should have forseen that any winning would potentially be pilfered by a low income Dora. If you've read my other posts you would know that I had no idea Dora was checking my tickets until after I reported she won the lottery to the group. This situation and particularly the lottery commission's response to it made me mad enough that I haven't played the lottery since, whether in a pool, or alone.Raven,You sleuth!! You are exactly right. In my free time I search... [ More ]

Comment #26

truecritic — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 22:13:16 GMT

awesomo2000> Read my other posts in the thread discussing yesterday's articles...I did. Previous to the verdict. I will grant you she was/is stupid/dumb. But I stand by my previous statement. I would find her not guilty - since the crime of actually stealing the money never happened. No matter what reason is used for the disappearance of the ticket - stolen/lost - it was nothing but a piece of paper. I don't think people should end up with a criminal record over a piece of paper. The Poli... [ More ]

Comment #25

demonter — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 21:57:55 GMT

This a sad case of the worst in human nature coming to the fore.I thought that she would walk, but we now find out that her testimony was inconsistent, her lawyers entered that phoney distraught excuse and the case got bungled to say the least. The defense failed to convice the jury, so justice was served.A word to the wise: stay away from Lottery Pools. It seems like a good idea on the surface, until the Jackpot is hit. Nothing but TROUBLE. I buy my own tickets and check them online mys... [ More ]

Comment #24

libra926 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 21:49:10 GMT

HAPPY WEDNESDAY....12/14/05The problem I have with this case is the sheer stupidity of the Traders themselves.....They should have hired an Attorney or simply gone together as a Group and turned the winning ticket in themselves, instead of giving it to her to do it. If the Group didn't want the Publicity then the Attorney representing them would have handled everything legally, without all this unnecessary Drama........It's sheer Stupidity on the part of the Traders .........

Comment #23

Raven62 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 20:41:05 GMT

If you were one of the 16 Traders you would have said: I am one of the 16 traders involved in this case. instead of I am actually one of the 16 traders involved in this case.

Comment #22

nobie23 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 20:20:14 GMT

granted he only kept her on because she needed the income and medical insurance for her family and I'm not saying what she did was right; but everybody doesn't live high on the hog like you. Next time buy your own tickets and check for yourself.

Comment #21

awesomo2000 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 19:49:01 GMT

Wow! How ironic is that

Comment #20

LottoPools — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 19:31:07 GMT

I agree.I run a pool and it amazes me that the other members rely on me to check the numbers. While I wouldn't cheat them and they have emails from me with the numbers we played, you'd better believe if I was them, I'd still check the numbers myself.

Comment #19

JONMOJON — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 18:39:36 GMT

By the way, in Spanish, Leal means loyal.

Comment #18

awesomo2000 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 17:30:20 GMT

Yeah, none of the lawyers seemed to think that she would get actual prison time. I could really care less. As long as I never see her again, and perhaps get my lawyer fees back. However it is possible that the judge has taken quite a distaste for Dora Leal. Not sure how it works...does the judge decide the sentence after the jury finds guilty? The ASA Lorie Rosen told me that the judge has a personal thing against disloyal people. Dora is the definition of a disloyal person. Her boss test... [ More ]

Comment #17

konane — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 17:24:30 GMT

Welcome to Lottery Post, we hope you'll stay!! Thanks for filling us in on the details. Hope you and your lottery pool win something very large again. Good Luck

Comment #16

danamukie$ — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 17:10:57 GMT

sounds like awesome knows what hes talking about. fact is it was a spur of the moment thing she probably got caught up in the moment thought she could steal the ticket when she realized she couldn't she got scared and just thought she good discard the ticket.She's pretty dumb for not doing the right thing if she had the oppurtunity. the way the system works she'll probably get community service. I think she did do something wrong and should be punished. Thou Shall Not Steal She is guilty... [ More ]

Comment #15

whitmansm2 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 17:08:24 GMT

Thanks Awesomo2000 for your version of what happened. I did go back and read what you had to say. It shed some new light.I feel for you and the other traders. It was a bad call on your boss to let anyone else aside from the lottery pool to go and check. Things happen and we all have to move on. I'm glad you are getting the money you rightfully won. (minus lawyer fees and such)That being said, she's going to walk. I'm sure you would like to tie her up and stone her to death for all the sh!t she p... [ More ]

Comment #14

awesomo2000 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:34:15 GMT

I am actually one of the 16 traders involved in this case. I found this site while searching the internet after a friend of mine told me he saw my name in the paper. I testified at this case on Monday. Read my other posts in the thread discussing yesterday's articles for a summary of the events that happened on Dec 31st of 2003. I am all for healthy cynicism, but she is guilty. If you knew the details of the case you would agree. She stole the ticket with criminal intent. She had every in... [ More ]

Comment #13

chouquounette — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:24:48 GMT

Bottom Line: Dishonesty will punish you

Comment #12

Greg — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:15:04 GMT

Rule #1: Do not EVER play in a lottery pool UNLESS you have a photocopy of ALL the tickets BEFOREHAND.Rule #2: See Rule #1

Comment #11

whitmansm2 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:09:10 GMT

Less than $10k after taxes and even less after lawyer fees. I, personally, would have let it drop seeing that the lottery was going to pay me anyways. Then I would have guilted her into finding a different place to work!(again, I'm betting she's not going to do time over this

Comment #10

konane — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:01:52 GMT

Circles back to the same point we've made before that if it's important enough to spend money on the ticket, then check and verify the numbers yourself. Don't trust anyone else to look out for your best interests especially when lots of money is at stake.

Comment #9

fja — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 15:40:46 GMT

Not only does she not get the $175,000.... she probably has to pay $175,000 in legal fees, .....lose here job.... have a criminal background record....and spend some time in the pokey.......where as, if she had given them the winning ticket they might have tipped her for going to check,,,,and she would still have he job...she probably cant produce the wining ticket because she signed it with her own name and it would have made her instantly guilty......you'll never see the ticket again........ [ More ]

Comment #8

tg636 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 15:35:55 GMT

Here's what I think: if you have a lottery pool, do not send someone from outside the pool to check the numbers. Especially a relatively poor person with children. Leal had essentially become like any poor convenience store clerk, someone who had the ticket to a new life in their hands, if only they could get away with taking it. It was only the legal freight train barrelling down on her that caused the ticket to be lost instead of cashed in. She is guilty, but some of the guilt should be spr... [ More ]

Comment #7

whitmansm2 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 14:42:46 GMT

First she gives the information to the retailer to say that they sold the winning ticket. She high fives everyone. Tells her boss that he only won $17. He finds out some other way. IL lottery is paying him and his co-workers. She claims the ticket was lost. The ticket never gets cashed. (this all from the media....can't say it's fact)He obviously didn't trust her that he only won $17 so he checks himself. If he never trusted her, he shouldn't have sent her to check the tickets to begin w... [ More ]

Comment #6

Tenaj — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 14:35:28 GMT

The problem that I have is our justice system. It works for those who have the money to buy the lawyers that know how to use the law. There are many individuals and corporations who steal thousands times more than she and come out squeaky clean.She is a dumb thief who needed a better lawyer.

Comment #5

DirtyWrat — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 13:57:52 GMT

HOGWASH!!!The only reason she didn't cash the winning ticket in was because she knew she wouldn't ever get away with it. There was too many witnesses at the store when the ticket came up a big winner. She kept that ticket with the sole intention of stealing that money.Let's say someone kidnapped a wealthy person's baby and held it for ransom. They see for whatever reason that they aren't going to get away with it so they return the baby unharmed.No harm, no foul? I don't think so.... [ More ]

Comment #4

Sherwin — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 13:56:13 GMT

If only they had video of her giving that witness a high five in the store

Comment #3

RJOh — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 13:50:33 GMT

Taking something that belongs to someone else even if you never benefits from it is still steeling. Holding a lottery ticket worth $175,000 that she thought belonged to 16 guys who didn't know what they had and were too dumb, lazy or busy to check for themselves and would never be any wiser if she didn't tell them is probably what made her a little shaky. A little time in jail will fix that.They didn't throw those tickets away but gave them to her to check and she should have known at least one... [ More ]

Comment #2

whitmansm2 — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 13:25:55 GMT

Whether it was a stolen ticket or not. She never cashed it in, the others got their money, and she's probably out of a job. (forced or harassed into quiting) Do I believe that she was in morning over her lil baby dog? No. BUT......what is she guilty of? If she's guilty of not cashing in a jackpot, I better go turn myself in too! I've NEVER cashed in a jackpot! lolPersonally, I think that her and her attorney were not on the same page. He was working the angle of her being shakey and dis... [ More ]

Comment #1

truecritic — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 12:52:24 GMT

What a great Country? If she never got the money. If the ticket was never cashed in. If the ticket never showed up anywhere.What is she guilty of?How can losing a piece of paper or even intentionally taking a piece of paper be a crime if there is no benefit from that paper?The moral is: don't ever go and check lottery tickets alone. Don't ever lose any papers, notes, emails, etc;Note: If I take the worst case and assume she took the ticket intentionally, I do believe that is wrong. But with... [ More ]

Woman found guilty of stealing winning lottery ticket

Lottery Post — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 12:12:00 GMT

On the day she allegedly stole a $175,000 winning lottery ticket, Dora Leal was a confused, emotional wreck, mourning the loss of her baby dog Pablo, Leal testified in a Cook County courtroom Tuesday.In fact, Leal's attorney would later tell jurors, Leal was so shaky that had she been working in a nitroglycerine factory, she could have blown up the whole town. If that was a plea for sympathy or an explanation for why Leal didn't realize she held a winning lottery ticket, jurors didn't buy it.... [ More ]