Florida convenience store manager accused of taking lottery books to cash prize

FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — A woman in Seminole County was arrested this week over lottery-related allegations stemming from 2023.

The Florida Department of the Lottery filed a complaint against Candace Dingman, 34. She now faces a charge of filing a false lottery claim.

The department alleges Dingman used her position as manager of a Circle K in Fruitland Park to steal 30 lottery books.

The allegations start in February 2023, when investigators say Dingman activated 11 lottery ticket books. Investigators say she claimed a $1,000 winning ticket from those books a few days later.

The missing lottery books caught the attention of Circle K’s corporate office, which sent a note in July 2023 to inform the lottery department of a charge of nearly $36,000, including the 30 missing books.

The criminal complaint states Dingman admitted removing the books between February and August 2023, resulting in an arrest warrant.

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