Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty To Attempted Grand Larceny Charge Stemming From Altered New York Lottery Ticket

The New York Lottery today announced that as a result of an investigation by the Lottery's Security Unit in cooperation with the New York State Police and the Erie County District Attorney's Office, 26-year-old Yann Spindler of Buffalo, entered a plea of guilty to charges of attempted Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, in connection with an altered Mega Millions ticket Spindler presented at the Lottery's Buffalo Customer Service Center on August 26, 2009.

Spindler, originally from Georgia, entered his guilty plea on February 23, 2010 after admitting to investigators that he used a computer to alter an official New York Lottery ticket for the August 25, 2009 Mega Millions drawing to make it look like it was a jackpot-winning ticket worth $252,000,000. There were no jackpot winning tickets sold for the Mega Millions drawing held on August 25, 2009.

Lottery surveillance cameras at the Lottery's Buffalo Customer Service Center show Spindler presenting what he claimed to be a jackpot-winning ticket to Lottery employees for payment on August 26, 2009. Trained Lottery employees immediately contacted security personnel who, in turn, partnered with the State Police and the office of Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III to investigate the matter. Upon his arrest, Spindler, a 2002 graduate of the New York State School for the Deaf, told police he altered the ticket because he wanted money to open a school for the deaf.

Lottery Director Gordon Medenica praised the coordinated efforts of the Lottery staff, State Police and Erie County District Attorney to bring this matter to a swift and decisive conclusion. "The New York Lottery remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of our games. I applaud the day-to-day efforts of Lottery staff statewide as well as the follow through demonstrated by the State Police and District Attorney's office. It confirms the strength of our internal controls and the support we receive from law enforcement authorities. Thanks to all for a job well done"

Spindler pleaded guilty to attempted Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor. With the Lottery's agreement, he was released on a conditional discharge.

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