Lottery Commission names acting executive director

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 | 9:34 a.m.

AUSTIN -- A top official closely involved in an investigation into inflated Lotto Texas jackpot advertisements was named acting executive director of the lottery commission Monday.

Gary Grief, who has worked for the Texas Lottery Commission since its creation, was promoted from deputy executive director. He will oversee day-to-day operations at the nation's third-largest lottery, replacing Executive Director Reagan Greer, who resigned Friday.

Greer stepped down two weeks after admitting he approved a staff report proposing an _$8 million advertised Lotto Texas jackpot for the June 8 drawing even though that report stated estimated sales could cover only _$6.5 million. Two earlier jackpots also had been inflated.

Commission Chairman C. Thomas Clowe said Grief was the most qualified person to run the agency in the short term. But he emphasized that the decision does not mean Grief is a shoo-in for the permanent job.

"I can't tell you whether he'll be an applicant or not. I haven't discussed it with him. I don't know," Clowe said. He said a committee, including for the first time members of the public, will conduct a far-reaching search for the best candidate.