New Mexico grand jury indicts five on lottery fraud charges

Monday, July 17, 2000 | 12:20 p.m.

The indictments were handed down last week against Pircio Baca, 46, Trina Foster, 25, and Tanver Iman, 25, all of Albuquerque, and Adolfo Dominguez, 20, of Bernalillo and James Ward, 18, of Rio Rancho.

All worked as clerks at four local Phillips 66 gas stations and convenience stores.

Phillips 66 management cooperated with the investigation, said Tom Romero, lottery executive vice president of security.

Deatils of the fraud weren't released because investigations are continuing, Romero said.

The lottery's tracking system detected improper use of instant "Scratcher" tickets, a lottery news release said.

The total value of the tickets was $200, it said.

Fraud against the lottery and its educational beneficiaries is a felony under New Mexico law. Conviction carries up to 18 months in prison and $5,000 in fines per count.

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