A former head of the Texas lottery has been criminally charged following an investigation into a $US95 million lottery draw won by Australian professional gamblers, who bought virtually every ticket combination.
Gary Grief was the long-time executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission in 2023 when the gamblers purchased nearly 26 million tickets in a 72-hour sprint, using machines delivered last-minute with the regulator’s approval.
This week, Grief was charged with abuse of official capacity involving more than $300,000, a first-degree felony, the Houston Chronicle reported.
But his lawyer says Grief has been made into a scapegoat and that the charge is politically motivated.
An investigation by this masthead published in March found four Australians played roles in the mass-purchase scheme, which netted a $US57 million prize when paid out in a lump sum.
Zeljko Ranogajec, a Tasmanian who has become one of the biggest gamblers in the world, confirmed for the first time his role in funding the operation. His business partner, MONA gallery founder David Walsh, also contributed funds.
Melbourne-born former banker Bernard Marantelli ran the operation on the ground, which required four separate retailers and crews working round the clock.
Ade Repcenko, a convicted fraudster and former boyfriend of supermodel Miranda Kerr, played a liaison role, linking the syndicate with lottery retailers.
None have been charged with a crime. A lawyer for the winning syndicate has said that “all applicable laws, rules and regulations were followed”.
Ranogajec told this masthead previously “the Texas Lottery Commission facilitated the play by providing terminals, paper and ink”. Marantelli said he personally saw a commission official during the delivery and installation of a bank of new lottery machines at one lottery retailer’s premises.
In Texas, the commission’s facilitation of the mass ticket purchase led to several fiery senate hearings.
Governor Greg Abbott last year ordered an investigation by the Texas Rangers to “identify any potential wrongdoing” and restore public trust in the game. A grand jury voted to indict Grief last month.
The abuse of official capacity charge relates to misuse of “government property, services, personnel, or any other thing of value belonging to the government” but Texas media report that little further detail has been made public.
A lawyer for Grief told this masthead that the charges against his client were politically driven.
“Gary Grief committed no crime,” attorney Sam Bassett said in a statement. “Gary co-operated with the Texas Ranger investigation but neither he nor his counsel had input with the Grand Jury. The Rangers had their direction from politicians searching for a scapegoat.”
A senior executive working at Lottery.com, a retailer that took part in the ticket printing, testified last year that Grief had personally assured the company it would be acting within the rules, something Grief has denied.
The commission itself was also named in a criminal charge but was abolished last year. A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which now runs the lottery, declined to comment on the court case.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
