North Carolina Lottery: Allen, N.C. lottery champion, dies
State Rep. Bernard Allen, who co-sponsored legislation to create North Carolina's lottery and then pushed for a committee to make sure the proceeds were wisely spent, died late Friday, a House aide said Saturday.
Allen, D-Wake, appeared to have been recovering well from a mild stroke Sept. 23. But a blood clot entered his lung Friday night, killing him instantly, according to House administrative clerk Carmen Cauthen.
He was 69 years old.
"Rep. Allen was a tireless advocate for his constituents and spent his years in public service improving the lives of the people of Wake County and North Carolina," Jerry Meek, the state Democratic Party chairman, said in a statement.
Allen took a lead role in the fight to create a state lottery in 2005, when he was a principal sponsor of the bill narrowly approved to legalize the games.