He Bought a $12.8M Winning Lottery Ticket. Then He Was Fired.

A $12.8 million winning Arizona Lottery ticket is at the center of an unusual legal battle over who actually owns it.

Former Circle K store manager Robert Gawlitza says he purchased the winning ticket after following what he describes as an established employee practice involving mistakenly printed or unsold lottery tickets. He says communications with his district manager authorized him to make the purchase.

But instead of claiming the jackpot, Robert says Circle K demanded the ticket. He was later fired, and ownership of the $12.8 million prize is now the subject of ongoing litigation.

In this interview, Robert and his attorney, Josh Kolsrud, explain what they say happened, why they believe the ticket purchase was valid, the affidavits filed by current and former Circle K employees, what happens to the jackpot while the case is pending, and where the legal dispute goes from here.

Robert also discusses how the case has affected his employment, finances, family, and reputation, and why he says clearing his name matters more to him than the money.

Circle K was contacted for comment and did not respond by the time of publication.

The ownership of the ticket remains the subject of litigation. Statements regarding disputed facts and legal positions reflect the views of the interviewees.

Watch this episode on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/bjHwvHkC8tA

Hosted by Powerball winner and journalist Timothy Schultz.