A 26-year-old woman from Neillsville, Wisconsin, named Hope Johnson, has been sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to altering or forging lottery tickets. The court allowed her to plead guilty to one count of lottery alteration or forgery, while other related charges were dismissed but noted in the record.
The case came to attention following a significant financial discrepancy of around $9,000 reported at a local BP gas station in August 2024, coinciding with Johnson’s shifts working alone. Investigators found that between August 21 and August 26, 2024, the shortages were particularly high. Surveillance footage revealed that Johnson was seen at the lottery terminal printing multiple Fastplay lottery tickets, checking them, but failing to make purchases. Instead, she took the winning tickets to a nearby Express Mart for redemption.
In total, Johnson illegally acquired 881 tickets, which amounted to $8,810, with winnings totaling $2,840. The store manager noticed discrepancies during a lottery reconciliation on August 25, revealing that about $900 worth of pay slips essential for confirming winnings were missing. This prompted a police investigation, leading to charges being referred to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office.
The court has scheduled a probation review hearing for October 8, 2025.
This case highlights the ongoing need for vigilance in retail operations and the importance of thorough security measures to prevent fraudulent activities. By addressing these illegal acts, the system aims to reinforce integrity within lottery and retail transactions.