Crime & Safety

Cashier Accused of Scamming Illinois Lottery

Prosecutor said woman entered codes into system used to pay winners, then pocketed cash.

A cashier was arrested after she paid herself winnings from the Illinois Lottery without actually playing, prosecutors said.

Casey Hawkins, 24, was employed as a cashier at Meijer, 9200 S. Western Ave., Evergreen Park. Between July 3 and July 9, prosecutors said Hawkins entered lottery codes used to pay winners and took cash without making deposits.

The Illinois Lottery contacted Meijer to report the cash shortages. The manager discovered the missing funds on July 10.

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Hawkins is accused of pocketing $865 in cash. The judge set her bail at $9,000. Hawkins has a court hearing scheduled for Aug. 16 in Bridgeview.

Casey Hawkins | Cook County Sheriff

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