Dundalk Liquor Store Owner Charged In Lottery Scam

(UPDATED 12:20 p.m.) Ross Liquors, located in the Merritt North Shopping Center, has had its Maryland Lottery license revoked following an undercover operation, Patch confirmed Tuesday.

Ross Liquors had its ticket license revoked after the store’s owner was charged with trying to steal an undercover agent's winning ticket worth $10,000 on March 8. The story was first reported by ABC2News.com.

Ross Liquors store owner, Melissa Ann Stone, 39, of the 3900 block of Goose Harbor Road in Middle River, has been charged with attempted theft of between $10,000 and $100,000. A trial date has been set for May 26.

Ross Liquors remains open, but had its lottery license suspended, said Maryland Lottery Director Stephen Martino.

A lottery security investigator, acting on a tip, took a winning ticket to Ross Liquors, but was told the ticket was not a winning number. Later, Stone allegedly attempted to cash the winning ticket at Maryland Lottery Headquarters.

Winning tickets more than $5,000 must be claimed at the Maryland Lottery Claim Centers in Baltimore at Montgomery Park or in Lanham.

"A vast majority of our vendors are in compliance," Martino said. "[Ross Liquors] was just part of the two percent of vendors checked that did not meet the standards of integrity and accountability expected by the Maryland Lottery.

"Our lottery players are mostly loyal to the vendors they frequent. There is a sense of trust by our players and our vendors are very proud to be associated with the Maryland Lottery. We want to assure players that it is safe to take your tickets to your local vendor."

Stone is one of 12 lottery vendors caught trying to cheat lottery players since Feb. 2010. Martino said that there have been 663 compliance checks statewide during that time.

Ross Liquors has been serving the Dundalk community since 1982.

Efforts to reach Stone by phone at her place of business and at home were not successful Tuesday.

Martino said there are several steps lottery players can take to avoid potentially being cheated out of their winnings. These steps include signing the back of a ticket - much like endorsing a check - so no one else can claim the winnings.

Also, if your unsure of the winning numbers, Martino said, check with another vendor or visit mdlottery.com. Finally, always ask for your ticket back - even if it is a loser - so you can double check again before throwing it away.

"Some simple step can ensure you don't get cheated," Martino said. "If you're still concerned, contact the Maryland Lottery and we will fully investigate the claim."