business
Former Circle K manager fights back in court over $12.8 million lottery ticket purchased at store
By Alexis Dominguez, Jordan Gartner at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 11, 2026
· 2 min read
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) — A former Circle K manager has filed a formal response to a lawsuit over a $12.8 million Arizona Lottery jackpot.Robert Gawlitza claims the company enforced a policy requiring employees to purchase leftover lottery tickets and only challenged his ownership of t...
Key takeaway (KPHO/Gray News) — A former Circle K manager has filed a formal response to a lawsuit over a $12.
Why this matters in The Midland
The dispute over the $12.8 million lottery ticket has significant implications for employees in the Midland area, particularly those working in retail. The case highlights the importance of clear company policies and procedures, especially when it comes to handling customer transactions and employee conduct. If Circle K did indeed have an unofficial policy requiring employees to purchase leftover lottery tickets, it raises questions about the company's treatment of its workers and its commitment to fairness. As the case unfolds, Midland residents may be watching to see how the court's decision affects the way local businesses operate and treat their employees. The fact that six current and former Circle K employees have come forward to corroborate Gawlitza's account suggests that this may be a wider issue, one that could have repercussions for workers in similar situations in the Permian Basin area.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 11, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) — A former Circle K manager has filed a formal response to a lawsuit over a $12.8 million Arizona Lottery jackpot.Robert Gawlitza claims the company enforced a policy requiring employees to purchase leftover lottery tickets and only challenged his ownership of t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 11, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alexis Dominguez, Jordan Gartner at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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