WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today, in a letter to Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) President Gary Grief and Deputy Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer J. Bret Toyne, requested information about the association’s response to a lotto jackpot rigging scandal. In July 2015, Edward Tipton, the former security director for MUSL was convicted on two counts of fraud for his role in rigging multi-million dollar lottery games operated by the non-profit government benefit association. Following the conviction, in October MUSL’s executive director was placed on indefinite administrative leave.
 
“Other than seeking new leadership, it is unclear what additional measures MUSL is implementing to provide effective oversight to ensure the integrity of lottery games,” wrote Thune. “Indeed, some have suggested that the excitement about increasingly large jackpots has eclipsed reports of insider fraud and what MUSL is doing to address the issue.”

Thune’s letter requests that MUSL respond no later than July 7, 2016, and that its response include the results of any internal investigation of fraud conducted by MUSL. The Senate Commerce Committee exercises legislative and oversight jurisdiction of issues related to consumer protection and gaming.

Click here for a copy of Thune’s letter to MUSL.