Embattled Lottery director seeks outside investigation

Friday, July 8, 2005 | 9:20 a.m.

AUSTIN -- The executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, already under fire following revelations that the agency inflated jackpot estimates, has requested an outside investigation into the recent firing of the agency's financial director and other employees.

Reagan Greer's request Wednesday with state Auditor John Keel's office seeks an "objective perspective on these matters, including any recommendations you might have to improve our agency in this area."

It comes after the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee, which oversees the lottery, criticized the agency for a round of firings that included Lee Deviney, one of two managers responsible for proposing jackpots.

Keel said he was reviewing Greer's request and would respond to it in the next few days.

Last month, lottery officials said they knew ticket sales would not cover an advertised _$8 million Lotto Texas jackpot for the June 8 drawing, but they used the higher number to keep players interested in the game. They also admitted jackpots had fallen short of the advertised amounts twice before. No player won those jackpots.

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