Store Manager Allegedly Stole More Than $250,000 in Lottery Tickets Over 2.5 Years

A Florida gas station manager allegedly pilfered a quarter of a million dollars in lottery tickets from the store he oversaw in Boca Raton.

Buvard Cherubin, 41, is accused of taking dozens of scratch-off tickets over the course of two-and-a-half years. Video footage allegedly shows him activating individual lottery books, which each contain 30 tickets, but not putting them up for sale and instead setting them off to the side, according to WPEC.

According to officials, Cherubin admitted to taking just eight to 15 books when he was confronted by an officer and the store's owner. 

Authorities were tipped off to potential fraud when an audit last June showed a difference between the number of books ordered and tickets sold. Another indication something was amiss was that winning tickets were being redeemed within hours, as opposed to the typical three to 10 days. 

Cherubin is charged with grand theft and organizing a scheme to defraud. He is out on bond and has not yet entered a plea.

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