A former Circle K employee is contesting the company's claim to a winning lottery ticket worth $12.8 million, arguing that he followed store policy when purchasing the ticket. Robert Gawlitza, a longtime employee, bought the ticket from a colleague after it was left behind by a customer at a Scottsdale, Arizona store.
The customer had purchased several tickets for "The Pick" lottery game, but only had $60, leaving 25 tickets worth $85 behind near the cash register. The tickets remained in the store overnight, and Gawlitza finished his shift before buying them from another employee the next day.
Gawlitza's lawyer claims that his client followed an unwritten store policy requiring staff to buy accidentally printed, unsold lottery tickets. According to the lawyer, Gawlitza even checked with his supervisor before making the purchase, and another employee completed the sale.
The lawyer argues that it is industry practice for the person who prints out unsold tickets to be responsible for paying for them, or for the store manager to take responsibility. He claims that Circle K only challenged the purchase after realizing the ticket was worth millions.
Gawlitza's latest court filing includes six affidavits from current and former Circle K employees who support his claim that the policy existed. He was fired on January 30 after 20 years with the company for allegedly violating store policy.
Circle K has asked the court to determine who legally owns the ticket, stating that it is committed to working with the Arizona Lottery. The company has not responded to Gawlitza's latest filing. The Arizona Lottery is still holding the $12.8 million prize, which Gawlitza plans to split with a former co-worker, while the court decides who is entitled to the jackpot.
