A 70-year-old man from Toronto has been charged with theft after allegedly claiming a $1 million lottery prize intended for a group of players. Alex Parucha is accused of keeping the winnings for himself instead of sharing them with two other individuals who participated in the ticket purchase. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) initially announced Parucha's win in July, highlighting his excitement over the Lotto Max draw. In a statement, he recounted how he won a free play and decided to add the Encore option. "I was in disbelief. I double-checked my ticket and counted the zeroes. When I realized it was a $1-million prize, I was overwhelmed," he said. Parucha, who has been playing the lottery for nearly 30 years, expressed plans to use the winnings to buy property, share with family, and bolster his savings. He described the experience as emotional, stating, "Being a winner is a very emotional experience. It’s brought a lot of disbelief, happiness, and excitement. I feel so fortunate to have won this prize." However, the situation took a turn when the OLG's Forensic Investigation Unit received claims suggesting that the ticket was part of a group play arrangement. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began investigating in September after the case was referred to them. Their investigation confirmed that the ticket was indeed part of a group arrangement, meaning the winnings should have been divided among three individuals. As a result, Parucha has been charged with theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000, and possession of property obtained by crime. He has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in January. The allegations against him have not yet been tested in court.