A Florida postal worker is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing a winning lottery ticket from the mail and collecting the prize herself.
Lakaysha Lockhart, an employee of the United States Postal Service, is accused of taking a Florida Lottery Pick 4 ticket worth $2,600. The person who purchased the ticket reportedly mailed it to a relative in South Florida to help cover funeral expenses, but the envelope never reached its destination.
Investigators say Lockhart redeemed the winning ticket at the Florida Lottery’s Miami District Office on June 19. After the original ticket holder reported it missing, a joint investigation was launched by the Florida Lottery Division of Security and the USPS Office of Inspector General.
According to authorities, Lockhart admitted to stealing and redeeming the ticket. She now faces charges that include grand theft, dealing in stolen property and mail theft. The allegations must still be proven in court.
All of that for $2,600? It raises the obvious question: Was it really worth risking her job, freedom and future?