OCONTO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A convenience store clerk who stole tens of thousands of dollars worth of lottery tickets was sentenced to 90 days in jail.
Linda Elliott must also pay a total of $68,305 in restitution – but has already paid back $30,000. Sentencing was held Monday.
According to the criminal complaint, the owner of the Fastop in Oconto Falls noticed his books weren’t balanced, due to issues with the lottery tickets.
Upon initial questioning by police, Elliott said she paid for the tickets she took, including a $10,000 winner.
Eventually, she fessed up, saying “Fine, you want the truth? I did it. I took the tickets.”
The complaint goes on to say “Linda said that she didn’t really think she was taking it directly from (the store’s owner). Linda said everyone else has nice things and she thought she should be able to have nice things too.”
Each count covered a different time period for the thefts, between April 1, 2016, and Feb. 3, 2017.