Overview
- Ontario Provincial Police arrested 70-year-old Alex Parucha on November 19 following a months-long probe.
- Police allege he claimed a $1-million Lotto Max Free Play ticket with Encore on July 2 as the sole claimant and received payment from OLG.
- A joint investigation by OPP, OLG and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario concluded the winnings should have been shared among three people.
- Parucha faces charges of theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.
- He was released from custody and is due in court on January 8, 2026, while authorities have not named the other alleged participants.