LAKEVILLE — The Lakeville man whose winning $3 million Lottery ticket was allegedly stolen by an employee at the Lakeville Market & Liquors in January has finally received his money.

Paul Little of Lakeville was officially presented with his winnings from a $3 million Mega Millions prize during a visit to Lottery headquarters in Dorchester June 30. 

“I’m pretty excited today because it’s real, with the check in hand,” said Little in a prepared statement. “My thanks to all of the people who helped me get to this point. It’s so many people who worked on my behalf to see me here today, and it’s greatly appreciated.”

Two people are facing charges after store employee Carly Nunes, 23, of Lakeville, allegedly found the winning ticket Little had left behind during his visit to the Lakeville store Jan. 17 and attempted to cash it in. She was charged with Larceny from a Building, Attempted Larceny, Presentation of a False Claim, and Witness Intimidation.

She pleaded not guilty Tuesday, June 27 in Brockton Superior Court. She had previously failed to show up at an arraignment on the charges. Bail was set at $10,000.

 A colleague, Joseph Reddem, 32, of Randolph, reportedly drove with Nunes to Lottery headquarters in an effort to cash in the ticket that was allegedly stolen. He also faces charges after he allegedly made extortion demands of the jackpot and Nunes informed Reddem that she would “only pay him $200,000.”

The arguments overheard by state Lottery officials coupled with the condition of the ticket, which was reportedly crumpled and burned, led Massachusetts Lottery investigators to interview Nunes and uncover the alleged attempted theft and the original purchaser, Little.

Reddem pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on June 12 to a charge that he allegedly attempted to extort Nunes into paying him money. He was released on personal recognizance with conditions that he does not gamble or have any contact with Nunes or witnesses in the case.

The ticket’s real winner, Little, a diesel mechanic who works on marine engines, said that he plans to continue to work for the time being.

“The first thought is that there’s a lot of things that I’m going to be able to do that I wasn’t able to do in the past, and that’s exciting,” said Little. “What I’m hopeful for is that I utilize this money to not only help my family, but to also help other people. One of the first things I’m going to do is pay the mortgage off on my house.”

Lakeville Market & Liquors received a $30,000 bonus for its sale of the winning ticket.