From a four-year-old in a seersucker suit dreaming of being Ben Matlock to a seasoned investigator taking on one of California’s most powerful institutions, Gary Reid Galbreath’s journey toward justice took an unexpected turn when he discovered corruption at the heart of the California State Lottery. This riveting memoir exposes what happens when one man’s dedication to truth collides with a system designed to protect itself.

As a decorated law enforcement officer turned lottery investigator, Galbreath uncovered disturbing evidence of misappropriated funds and fraud schemes targeting California’s most vulnerable residents. But when he dug deeper, he found himself labeled a whistleblower and fired by the very officials he was investigating—the same ones who had praised his investigative skills just months earlier.

Through Galbreath’s candid narrative, readers get an insider’s view of the price of integrity in a system where looking the other way is often the easier choice. He details how his “unauthorized investigation” into corruption led to his termination, the years-long battle for vindication, and his ultimate settlement with the state.

More than just an exposé, this is a story about standing up for what’s right when the odds are stacked against you. From the investigation that ended his career to the aftermath that tested his resolve, Galbreath’s account reveals the personal cost of exposing institutional corruption and the importance of maintaining one’s principles in the face of adversity.

Reid Galbreath

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