CHICAGO – The Illinois Attorney General’s office has charged an employee of the Illinois Department of the Lottery and another individual for stealing and redeeming winning lottery tickets.
Dean Derrick, the Lottery employee, is accused of stealing books of instant lottery tickets and redeeming winning tickets for cash. Frazier Mack is also accused of redeeming stolen tickets for cash.
Derrick has been charged with four counts of stealing governmental property worth more than $500 but less than $10,000, seven counts of official misconduct, and three counts of wire fraud. Mack has been charged with two counts of stealing governmental property worth more than $500 but less than $10,000.
The Illinois Lottery Director stated that Derrick allegedly stole books of instant lottery tickets from retailers while working in his official capacity. Derrick took these tickets to separate retailers to redeem for prize money. Derrick then allegedly gave some of the winning tickets to Mack, who also redeemed them for cash.
The alleged thefts occurred between March 23, 2022, and April 13, 2022. Derrick surrendered to the Sangamon County Jail after an arrest warrant was issued, and his bond was set at $15,000. Mack was also arrested, and his bond was set at $15,000. Both individuals are scheduled to appear in court on March 30.
The Illinois State Police and the Illinois Lottery assisted with the investigation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Illinois Attorney General’s office will prosecute the case through the Public Integrity Bureau.
