An anonymous former NFL player who previously managed Circle K stores has emerged to support former store manager Robert Gawlitza in his legal battle to claim a disputed $12.8 million Arizona Lottery jackpot.
The legal dispute centers on an accidentally printed lottery ticket that a customer left behind at a Circle K convenience store in Arizona. Gawlitza, who was the store manager at the time, purchased the ticket after the drawing had already taken place. According to Circle K corporate representatives, the ticket rightfully belongs to the company because Arizona Lottery policies prohibit the sale of tickets after a drawing has occurred. Gawlitza and his legal team argue that he was simply complying with an established, mandatory company policy regarding printing errors.
The origin of the $12.8 million dispute
The conflict began when a retail clerk accidentally printed a high-value draw game ticket. The customer refused to buy the ticket and left the store. Because lottery terminals do not allow retailers to cancel printed draw tickets once they are generated, the store remained financially responsible for the cost of the ticket.
Gawlitza claims that Circle K maintained an official rule requiring employees to personally purchase any accidentally printed lottery tickets valued over $20. According to his legal counsel, Josh Kolsrud, this rule served as a financial penalty for staff who made printing mistakes. Following this protocol, Gawlitza clocked out of his shift, purchased the ticket from the clerk on duty, and received a printed sales receipt. The ticket subsequently matched the winning numbers for the $12.8 million jackpot.
At the time of the purchase, Gawlitza entered into an agreement with Marline Ybarra, the cashier who sold him the ticket, to split the jackpot winnings. Because of her direct involvement in the transaction, Ybarra was added as an official participant in the legal proceedings.
Employee affidavits and corporate policy claims
To support the assertion that the purchase was dictated by store rules, Gawlitza’s legal team submitted six sworn affidavits from current and former Circle K employees. These documents state that the convenience store chain regularly forced employees to use personal funds to buy unwanted, misprinted tickets. The affidavits were signed by the following individuals:
- Eva Sparks
- Jennifer Geibeda
- Joseph Fullerton
- Joyce Vickers-Kien
- Miguel Perez
- Nicholas Delibertis
According to attorney Kolsrud, these testimonies demonstrate that the practice was widespread and recognized by staff across multiple locations. The defense argues that Circle K corporate only contested the ownership of the ticket after learning that the ticket held the winning jackpot numbers.
The legal team recently revealed that a former NFL player has corroborated these accounts. While Kolsrud declined to name the player publicly, he confirmed that the athlete previously managed Circle K stores and served as a company chairman. The player’s testimony indicates that upper management was aware of the unofficial policy regarding employee-purchased mistake tickets.
How retail lottery policies govern mistake tickets
State lotteries establish strict rules regarding when and how tickets can be sold. Under typical state regulations, retail terminals disable the sale of tickets for a specific drawing once the draw close window occurs. This prevents players or retailers from purchasing tickets with knowledge of the winning numbers.
The table below outlines the conflicting arguments presented by the key parties involved in this litigation:
| Party Involved | Core Argument / Stance | Supporting Evidence Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Gawlitza (Ex-Manager) | Purchased the ticket legally following a company policy that penalized printing errors by forcing employee purchase. | Valid sales receipt, cashier agreement, six employee affidavits, and testimony from a former NFL player. |
| Circle K Corporate | The ticket belongs to the corporation because the transaction occurred after the drawing took place, violating standard lottery sales rules. | Arizona Lottery retail policies and transaction timestamps. |
| Arizona Lottery Commission | Maintains that all authorized retailers must comply strictly with administrative rules regarding valid sales times. | State administrative codes and retailer compliance manuals. |
While this legal battle highlights the complexities of lottery ticket ownership, other major winners navigate entirely different post-win situations. For instance, some experience legal issues unrelated to their prize, such as when Kentucky Powerball winner Shannon Farthing arrested for public intoxication in Georgetown faced local law enforcement charges. Conversely, other winners utilize their winnings for charitable endeavors, as seen when presidential chef Roberto Mendoza uses $250,000 North Carolina lottery win to fund 124,000 meals.
How to play draw games securely
For players looking to participate in draw games without the risks of physical ticket damage, loss, or retail printing disputes, digital platforms offer a secure alternative. You can order official lottery tickets online through secure platforms to ensure your tickets are safely registered to your name before any drawing takes place. These platforms digitalize the ticket purchasing process, providing electronic receipts and automatic win notifications to prevent ownership disputes between clerks and retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Circle K claiming ownership of the $12.8 million lottery ticket?
Circle K corporate argues that because the former manager paid for the ticket after the drawing had already occurred, the transaction violated state lottery guidelines, meaning the ticket remained unsold corporate property.
What is the mistake ticket policy mentioned in the lawsuit?
The former manager and six other employees claim that Circle K enforced an unofficial policy requiring staff to purchase accidentally printed lottery tickets over $20 with their own money to offset retail printing errors.
Who is the former NFL player involved in this lottery dispute?
The former NFL player remains anonymous, but the manager’s attorney confirmed he is a former Circle K store manager and company chairman who supports the claims regarding the store’s policy on mistake tickets.
Play responsibly. Lottery is a form of entertainment, not investment. This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission.
