The State : 2 Held in Lottery Fraud

A temporary California Lottery employee and her cousin were arrested in the theft of a $5,000 winning ticket from lottery headquarters, according to Lew Ritter, the lottery’s chief of security. Sharyn Jefferson, 38, who worked as a clerk at the Sacramento lottery office from October to December, 1985, and her cousin, Gerry O’Neill, 34, were held on charges of grand theft and embezzlement, Ritter said. Investigators said that Jefferson took the ticket, which had been submitted to the headquarters by the real winner, Victor Shay of Gardena. Jefferson allegedly forged O’Neill’s name on a claim form, allowing her cousin to collect the $5,000 prize. Ritter said Shay will receive his $5,000 prize.