California Lottery director steps down

The director of the California Lottery revealed on Friday that he is stepping down from his position.

US.- Hugo Lopez, director of the California Lottery, revealed on an email on Friday that he is stepping down from his position. In the email to his employees he talked about the growth of lottery revenue but did not specify why he is leaving, although there has been some controversy around the agency’s spending.

Lopez did not make it clear if he was retiring or leaving for another job. According to Los Angeles Times, he also did not comment on his email. “The Lottery has demonstrated record sales each year that I have been here and is on course to surpass US$7 billion in revenue this fiscal year,” Lopez wrote in the email.

“More importantly, contributions to public education have also seen record levels during this time period, with this year’s contribution anticipated to move closer to US$2 billion.”

Last year, an audit alleged that there had been more than US$300k in questionable spending over the last four years, mostly under Lopez’s role. Some of the improper spendings include travel, food and gifts to employees.

Furthermore, California Lottery employees said in May that they were cooperating with the Department of Justice in an investigation into hiring irregularities and other misconduct problems in the agency.