Lottery operator sued

Friday, Dec. 28, 2001 | 10:10 a.m.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The husband of the Texas Lottery's former executive director is suing the games' operator for $636,000 in back pay.

Mike Moeller was hired by Gtech Corp. in 1997 for a $6,000-a-month consulting job. At the time, Moeller was the boyfriend of Nora Linares, who was executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission.

Linares, who later married Moeller, was fired after the state learned of Moeller's job and his relationship with Linares.

The lawsuit claims West Greenwich, R.I.-based Gtech never terminated its contract with Moeller and had failed to pay a contractually required monthly retainer since March 1993.

"We believe that the suit is without merit. We will be taking all appropriate actions to defend our position and respond to the suit," said Gtech spokesman Bob Vincent.

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