Clerk charged with lottery ticket fraud

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - John Barry, 63, thought he was cashing in a winning $1,000 lottery ticket. But instead, he ended up under arrest. According to Rhode Island State Police, the Cranston convenience store clerk was trying to turn in a ticket that wasn't his.

Investigators said Barry was working at Diamond Fuel Gas Station on Park Ave. when an undercover trooper presented him with a winning lottery ticket. However, instead of telling the trooper the ticket needed to be redeemed at Rhode Island Lottery Headquarters, investigators said he told the trooper the ticket was not a winner, and threw it in the garbage.

Troopers said Barry then took the ticket and tried to redeem for himself at lottery headquarters. It was there police arrested him immediately.

Barry was arraigned on charges of obtaining money under false pretenses and was released on personal recognizance. He is due back in court August 19.

The bust was part of a series of Integrity Tests conducted by State Police and the Lottery's security department, which are performed periodically to ensure that lottery vendors are in compliance with rules and regulations.