Most Charges Dropped In Alleged Rockland County Lottery Con

NEW YORK (AP) _ Three men accused of trying to con a Guatemalan immigrant into sharing a $3 million lottery jackpot are off the hook after Rockland County prosecutors agreed to drop most of the case.

The trio had been charged with coercing Elfido DeLaRoca into handing over his winning ticket in 2011.

DeLaroca claimed the men warned he might be deported if he claimed the money, and persuaded him to sign over half his winnings if they would help him collect.

The Journal News reports that under a plea deal approved Friday, one of the men, Atif Ali, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor _ but he will also be allowed to collect a $300,000 share of the jackpot. He won't serve additional jail time.

Charges against the other two men were dropped.

You may share your thoughts in our comments section below...

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)