A routine retail transaction at a Circle K convenience store in Arizona has escalated into a $12.8 million legal battle between the corporation and a longtime store employee, according to court documents and local reports. Robert Gawlitza, a 17-year employee and store manager, claims he purchased a winning Powerball ticket to cover a cash register discrepancy, only to hand it over to management after being told the company wanted to send it to the corporate office.
The dispute centers on ownership of the multi-million-dollar lottery ticket and hinges on internal store practices regarding unsold lottery inventory. According to statements provided by his attorney Joshua Kolsrud, Gawlitza arrived for his shift the day after the drawing and learned from staff that several Powerball tickets remained unsold from the previous shift.
The Purchase and Store Practice Claims
Gawlitza stated that upon checking the remaining inventory, he calculated a $25 cash shortage that needed to be covered for the shift. According to his account, he followed an unwritten rule among employees at the store: when lottery tickets remained unsold, staff members were expected to purchase the highest-value ticket to cover any pending cash drawer shortages.
After receiving authorization to make the purchase, Gawlitza bought the ticket. Shortly afterward, management learned the ticket was a winner and requested that he hand it over. Gawlitza stated that corporate representatives told him they needed the physical ticket to send it to the central office to ensure the process was handled correctly, promising to keep him updated.
“In that moment, I complied with the rules,” Gawlitza said, noting he had never encountered a similar situation during his tenure with the company.
Corporate Arguments and Legal Stance
Circle K argues that the ticket belongs to the company, not the employee. According to Joshua Kolsrud, the company’s legal defense relies on state lottery regulations stating that a printed lottery ticket remains the property of the retail vendor until it is validly sold to a customer.
The legal teams are asking the court to interpret whether Gawlitza’s purchase under the store’s internal cash-coverage practice constitutes a valid retail sale or if the ticket remains corporate property.
In addition to the financial stake of the prize, Gawlitza has filed claims regarding his termination. He stated that he enjoyed his 17 years working for the company and wishes to return to his role as a store manager. However, he noted that public attention surrounding the litigation has negatively impacted his employment search, as potential employers run online background checks and connect him to the ongoing court case.
State Lottery and Judicial Review
The Arizona State Lottery has not intervened to award the prize, maintaining a neutral stance while the litigation proceeds. According to legal counsel, the state lottery agency will disburse the funds strictly according to the final court order, paying whichever party the judiciary determines holds the legal right to the winnings.
As the legal proceedings continue, the court must resolve whether the internal store policy supersedes standard retail lottery ownership rules, ultimately deciding who collects the multi-million-dollar payout.
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