Photo: Courtesy of Massachusetts State Lottery Commission
LAKEVILLE, Mass. (WBZNewsRadio) — A Lakeville Mega Millions prize winner has cashed in his winning ticket after a worker allegedly tried to cash in the ticket as their own months ago.
Paul Little received his $3 million Mega Millions prize on Friday for a Massachusetts Lottery ticket he purchased in January.
After purchasing the ticket at what is formally known as Savas Liquors, Little accidentally left the ticket behind in the terminal tray. That evening, Little's identical Mass Millions ticket numbers were announced as the winning numbers.
Earlier this week, Carly Nunes, who was working as the checkout counter clerk at the time of the purchase, pleaded not guilty to charges that she schemed to steal the winning ticket and cash it in as her own.
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Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said two days after the winning ticket numbers were announced, Nunes went to Massachusetts State Lottery Headquarters in Dorchester to redeem the prize. Massachusetts Lottery officials launched an investigation into Nunes after she was overheard, and seen on video surveillance, arguing about money with a man in the lobby and seeing the ticket was torn and burnt.
Nearly a month later, Little realized he left the winning ticket at Savas. After investigators searched to find the true winner, Little was located in February.
“I’m pretty excited today because it’s real, with the check in hand,” said Little. “My thanks to all of the people who helped me get to this point. It’s so many people who worked on my behalf to see me here today, and it’s greatly appreciated.”
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Little, who works as a diesel mechanic on marine engines, said he plans to keep working for the time being.
“The first thought is that there’s a lot of things that I’m going to be able to do that I wasn’t able to do in the past, and that’s exciting,” said Little. “What I’m hopeful for is that I utilize this money to not only help my family, but to also help other people. One of the first things I’m going to do is pay the mortgage off on my house.”
Little used a Megaplier on his ticket turning the $1 million prize into a $3 million prize.
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