Former Ohio Lottery Director Pat McDonald’s precipitous resignation last month prompted a country investigation after reports surfaced that his leaving came after at to the lowest degree single distaff employee brought harassment allegations against her boss.
At the direction of OH Gov. Mike DeWine (R), the Cleveland law of nature steadfastly Zashin & Rich was contracted to express out a probe into the misconduct allegations made past the distaff lottery worker. The jurisprudence business firm of late presented its findings to the DeWine administration, which made the study public during a Fri intelligence release.
Investigators said a female person who worked at the OH Lottery Commission below McDonald first off filed a complaint with Elizabeth II Alex, the deputy sheriff theatre director of the lottery’s power of human resources, inwards February.
The unidentified employee claimed McDonald gave unwelcomed hugs to her and another female and also touched their shoulders and arms awkwardly. The adult female also said McDonald made verbal comments well-nigh their appearances.
That same employee, the Zashin & Rich story found, went to HR once again in Apr to supply additional details on wherefore she matte uncomfortable around McDonald. That prompted DeWine’s Chief of Staff Stephanie McCloud to fulfil with McDonald on Apr 11 to discuss the allegations.
McDonald reportedly denied the allegations and apologized to the female person who had ab initio filed her grievances with Alex. McDonald was paid virtually $120,000 a twelvemonth as director.
Medical Resignation
As theatre director of the Ohio Lottery Commission, McDonald oversaw a $5 one thousand million one-year drawing operation. Of the $5.3 one thousand million inward tickets that the Ohio River Lottery sold during its most recent financial year, the federal agency kept more than $1.4 billion. The Ohio River Lottery in the first place supports public education.
The OLC is additionally responsible for(p) for overseeing the state’s seven racinos and retail sports betting inside bars and other small businesses inward the Buckeye State. Ohio’s commercial-grade casinos and online sportsbooks are regulated by a break up body politic agency — the Ohio River Casino Control Commission.
McDonald sat inward the role from February 2019 until endure month when he proclaimed his resignation. He cited medical reasons for his exit.
McDonald “explicitly denied” the allegations of misconduct before disclosing “a significant medical condition,” the story detailed. He issued his surrender the solar day after he met with McCloud.
DeWine ordained McDonald to the theatre director situation inwards 2019. Before comely director, McDonald worked at the drawing bureau as a commissioner from 2007. He had antecedently served for sise years as the managing director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.
No Legal Recourse for State
The Zashin & Rich dig into did non find any concrete grounds to intimate that McDonald committed illegal acts spell theater director of the Ohio Lottery.
Though textual matter messages allegedly sent by McDonald to 1 of the females expressed an “inappropriate fondness,” the practice of law firm’s investigators said potency penalization for the say to impose against McDonald “is negated by his departure.”
DeWine named Michelle Gillcrist as meantime director of the Buckeye State Lottery next McDonald’s resignation.
In 2021, the OH Lottery sold to a greater extent than $5.5 billion inward tickets. That trailed only when Sunshine State ($9B), New House of York ($8.6B), Golden State ($8.4B), TX ($8.1B) Peach State ($5.8B), and Bay State ($5.8B).
Looking for a reliable and exciting online casino gaming platform in Malaysia? Look no further than Mega888 - the most popular and trusted online casino platform in the country!