An Illinois Department of the Lottery employee is accused of stealing books of instant lottery tickets and redeeming winning tickets for cash. A co-defendant is also accused of participating in the scheme by redeeming additional stolen tickets for cash, according to the Illinois Attorney General.
Dean F. Derrick, 57, of Springfield, is charged with four counts of theft of governmental property greater than $500 but less than $10,000, seven counts of official misconduct and three counts of wire fraud.
A news release said Derrick surrendered to the Sangamon County Jail on Wednesday after an arrest warrant was issued by the court. His bond was set at $15,000, and his next court date is scheduled for March 30.
Also charged is Frazier R. Mack, 24, of Springfield. He faces two counts of theft of governmental property greater than $500 but less than $10,000. Mack was also arrested on Wednesday and bond was set at $15,000. His next court date is scheduled for March 30.
“State employees are charged with carrying out the work of the public. That trust is broken when an individual seeks to personally profit from their position,” Raoul said. “I appreciate the partnerships of both the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Lottery in this investigation, and I will continue working to hold public employees accountable for abusing their positions and taking advantage of the public.”
According to Raoul, Dean Derrick allegedly stole books of instant lottery tickets from retailers while working in his official capacity as a Lottery sales representative for the Illinois Lottery.
The charges allege Derrick removed certain books, which he then took to separate retailers to redeem for prize money. Raoul said Derrick gave a certain number of stolen winning tickets to Mack, who also redeemed the winning tickets. The alleged offenses occurred between March 23, 2022 and April 13, 2022.
“The Department of the Lottery collaborated closely with authorities as soon as we became aware of the matter. Our dedicated sales representatives are entrusted with safeguarding instant tickets in their possession, and they take that work very seriously. Allegations of this nature are extremely rare, and we work closely with authorities to investigate and prosecute any such issues,” said Illinois Lottery Director Harold Mays.
