Ohio grocery worker sentenced in lottery theft

CINCINNATI (AP) — An Ohio judge has sentenced a Kroger supermarket employee to the maximum five years in prison for stealing more than $100,000 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets in the store where she worked.

Judge Dennis Helmick sentenced 53-year-old Deborah Strong, of Cincinnati, today in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.

Strong pleaded guilty May 10 to a charge of aggravated theft. She told the judge she kept leftover tickets when refilling the scratch-off ticket machine.

Strong admitted stealing $189,000 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets. Kroger has said it believes the actual amount stolen was more than $500,000.

Atty. James Bogen has said Strong wanted to take responsibility for her actions. He said she has acknowledged a gambling addiction.