Woman charged with stealing $1m lottery prize in New York from her cousin, police say
Her cousin agreed to pay her $50,000 in trade for her claiming the prize from the $5 scratch off ticket that was bought in Glen Cove, New York, in keeping with the discharge.
Argueta advised her cousin that the lottery ticket truly solely received $20,000 and gave him an envelope with $13,436, claiming the remainder was taken out for taxes, in keeping with the Nassau County district lawyer’s workplace. Argueta even offered her cousin with cast paperwork from lottery officers detailing the winnings, in keeping with police.
The sufferer got here ahead to police after seeing the lottery official’s press launch stating that Argueta did declare the $1m lottery ticket, in keeping with the discharge.
“This defendant exploited her cousin’s belief, allegedly mendacity and manipulating him with the goal of pocketing the lion’s share of his $1 million profitable lottery ticket for herself,” stated Performing Nassau County District Legal professional Joyce A. Smith.
Argueta, who moved to Houston, Texas, surrendered to the Glen Cove Police Division on Monday and was charged with one depend of grand larceny within the second diploma and two counts of prison possession of a cast instrument within the second diploma.
CNN reached out to her lawyer listed on the courtroom docket for a press release however hasn’t heard again.
She was launched on her personal recognizance, in keeping with the courtroom docket, and is due again in courtroom on November 23. The District Legal professional stated that if convicted of the highest cost, Argueta is going through 5 to fifteen years in jail.
By the investigation, police stated they had been capable of recuperate greater than $317,000 of the allegedly stolen funds from Argueta’s checking account which is being held.
CNN’s Hayley Wilson contributed to this report.