California Lottery official dismissed amid investigations

Mar 26, 2019, 9:23 am (49 comments)

California Lottery

A senior California Lottery executive has been dismissed from his position six months after anonymous state employees sent a letter to the Governor's Office complaining about rowdy behavior among a group of the lottery's top brass.

Deputy Director of Sales James David Cole's dismissal comes amid ongoing investigations into hiring practices and alleged misconduct by senior lottery executives during a 2016 sales conference.

Cole was notified Feb. 1 that his employment would be officially terminated March 1, according to a termination letter obtained through a public records request. He was placed on paid administrative leave for the month of February, according to the letter.

The letter didn't give a reason for the termination, and it is unknown whether his departure was related to the sales conference or other issues raised by the letter. California Lottery spokesman Russ Lopez declined to discuss a personnel matter. Cole, who was promoted to deputy director in 2014, did not respond to a voicemail or emails seeking comment.

"This is a refreshing change," said Paulina Vasquez, a district sales representative and union steward. "I'm glad to see people are being held accountable for their actions and I'm looking forward to seeing even more changes in the future."

Vasquez was among five employees who called for top officials' resignations at a state Lottery Commission meeting in September.

Last summer, an anonymous lottery employee sent a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown that included photos that allegedly showed senior lottery administration officials carrying on at Southern California piano bar, including one image of an official putting his head up a woman's shirt. The letter, written on official lottery stationary, also described disparaging treatment of employees.

Sharon Neal, a district sales representative and union steward, said Cole's leadership style was "geared more toward management, not rank and file. He gave management a very wide range of latitude to wield their power in ways that in my 33 years there I had never seen a management team do before."

Brown's office asked the state Department of Justice to investigate, and lottery employees say agents are still conducting interviews.

At the same time, the State Controller's Office is reviewing the last four years of the lottery's expenditures following an internal audit of the lottery's 2017 training events, conferences and seminars that found several instances of it failing to properly document and review expenses.

The lottery recently has recorded soaring revenue gains, with total sales for the last fiscal year totaling nearly $7 billion, up from $5.5 billion in 2015.

Sacramento Bee

Comments

Bleudog101

To play you pay; California did the right thing.  Sure would like to know how much he got paid.  Hey at least now he can legally play the CA lottery...LOL

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Eek How could this happen in the state that is so highly regarded for its political correctness,gender neutrality,sanctuary equality for all and bastion of liberal integrity ?  I am just flabbergasted, shocked and appalled such an atrocity has been allowed to transpire.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by CDanaT on Mar 26, 2019

Eek How could this happen in the state that is so highly regarded for its political correctness,gender neutrality,sanctuary equality for all and bastion of liberal integrity ?  I am just flabbergasted, shocked and appalled such an atrocity has been allowed to transpire.

LOL @ CD

Raven62's avatarRaven62

The Court of Public Opinion Is About Mob Justice and Reputation Assassination!

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by CDanaT on Mar 26, 2019

Eek How could this happen in the state that is so highly regarded for its political correctness,gender neutrality,sanctuary equality for all and bastion of liberal integrity ?  I am just flabbergasted, shocked and appalled such an atrocity has been allowed to transpire.

lol..but none of what you stated have anything to do with playing the lottery per se CD. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if Cole was the guy at the piano bar with he's head under that women's shirt. Probably telling the onlookers" This is how you make a sale, you have to be forceful,plant your flag, get in there."

music*'s avatarmusic*

Our new Governor is running a tight ship. Good for him. 

 Now is the time to crack down on Lottery retailers who win multiple times. 

US Flag

Groppo's avatarGroppo

.

Is there a worse feeling than losing what you once had?

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Quote: Originally posted by Groppo on Mar 26, 2019

.

Is there a worse feeling than losing what you once had?

perhaps not when it comes to an ex spouse??? Star

Redd55

Motor boarding  --- a victimless crime.

Jester

benjibanks's avatarbenjibanks

Quote: Originally posted by CDanaT on Mar 26, 2019

Eek How could this happen in the state that is so highly regarded for its political correctness,gender neutrality,sanctuary equality for all and bastion of liberal integrity ?  I am just flabbergasted, shocked and appalled such an atrocity has been allowed to transpire.

Its #metoo land over hear in California for a reason.  James Cole should go try to get a job with Cristina Garcia. 

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Great news and the outcome predicted by most lp members, and not counting the 1 or 2 members who placed the blame on the woman.  It is funny how so many state lotteries are supposedly trying to prevent fraud by pushing 100% non anonymity but their own officials engage in public unprofessional behavior. They need to clean their own house!

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by Raven62 on Mar 26, 2019

The Court of Public Opinion Is About Mob Justice and Reputation Assassination!

Is complaining about rowdy behavior like Beulah Balbricker saying she would have a teacher fired for "moral turpitude"

noise-gate

l wonder if Cole was the sacrificial lamb here? Taking a “ hit for the team” since those filing a report, were displeased with all the action going on at the piano bar. Next time they have a company party, they had better vet  the people willing to go: You know kinda like seating a jury: Are you aware of the piano bar scene years ago? Yes l am. Would you be comfortable being in that environment, one way or another? No, l would not! Russ, we will dismiss this worker from the company party. Next!

Sometimes, you have to cull the herd!👌

Stack47

The letter didn't give a reason for the termination

But people are still saying "I told you so".

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