BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — ZA Grocery on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport has had its lottery sales license suspended, according to a release from the state’s Department of Consumer Protection.
The DCP release and a summary suspension order against the store say a customer named Todd Gregorio purchased a lottery ticket there on Aug. 10, immediately scratched it and scanned it on the ticket checker. It was a winner, worth $177.
Gregorio did not have his glasses on him and handed the ticket to the clerk to verify it and pay out the winning amount. The clerk, Aslam Khawaja, who was believed to be the owner, scanned the ticket and allegedly told Gregorio that the ticket was worth only $77, the order says.
When Gregorio asked for a receipt, Khawaja allegedly told him there was no paper.
DCP says Gregario then called a special investigator from the Connecticut Lottery Corporation on Aug. 12 to report the situation.
The following day, the special investigator checked the terminal transaction report for the date and time of the incident and located the instant ticket in question – Game 1807 (Diamond 7’s), pack 01672, ticket #54, DCP says.
A terminal payout for the ticket was reportedly logged at 11:29 a.m. on the day of the initial transaction, according to the order.
On Aug. 14, DCP Lead Gaming Investigator Jamie Jepson visited ZA Grocery and spoke with Khawaja about the complaint. According to the release, Khawaja initially alleged the customer misunderstood him and never came back to retrieve the $100.
After further scrutiny, the order says that Khawaja then admitted that he had put the $100 in his pocket with no intention of paying Gregorio.
Khawaja told Jepson that his son owns the store but does not work there and that he and his wife operate the store, which DCP says Jepson confirmed. Khawaja then agreed to email Jepson a clip of the incident and offered to pay the customer the $100 without being promoted to do so, the order notes.
DCP says Jepson then spoke with Gregorio over the phone, ensuring him he would receive the $100. Gregorio told Jepson what happened, matching the account he gave to the special investigator.
The order notes that Gregorio said he has heard from others that “the store is okay to buy tickets at, but don’t cash them there.”
It also says that Khawaja’s actions violate the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, and that Khawaja committed an act that impairs ZA Grocery’s Lottery Agent’s reputation for honesty and integrity while presenting an ongoing threat to lottery customers who visit the store.
DCP ordered that the store’s lottery sales license be suspended immediately, and no lottery sales may be conducted there until further written notice from the DCP.
DCP Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli expressed his disappointment in Khawaja in the release.
“The behavior of Mr. Khawaja is inexcusable and illegal,” Cafferelli said. “It is clear from this incident that ZA Grocery is not operated in a manner that meets the expectations and responsibilities that come along with being a lottery sales agent license in our state.”
Frank Suarez, president and CEO of the Connecticut Lotter Corporation, also weighed in, in the release.
“Protecting our players is of paramount importance to the Connecticut Lottery,” Suarez said. “We work closely with [DCP] to investigate and take action, when necessary, to ensure integrity and protect consumers, as we did in this isolated incident.”
Questions and concerns about a lottery sales agent in the state of Connecticut can be directed to DCP’s Gaming Division at 860-713-6310, or by emailing dcp.gaming@ct.gov.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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