Former Pa. Gov. tied to consultants on lottery privatization

Dec 27, 2012, 10:11 am (11 comments)

Pennsylvania Lottery

HARRISBURG, Pa. — As Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett considers whether to hand the reins of the state lottery over to a British company, he's been getting advice from a firm with ties to his predecessor.

Former Gov. Ed Rendell is a senior adviser to Greenhill Partners, which stands to make millions if Corbett signs off on a private management agreement with the North American subsidiary of The Camelot Group, which runs the National Lottery in the United Kingdom.

Corbett has until at least Monday to decide whether to enter into the agreement with Camelot, which was the sole bidder for the $3.5 billion state lottery. Last week, the administration reportedly began talks on extending the deadline, but declined to explain why it was seeking an extension.

Rendell, who joined Greenhill in February 2011 to work on public-private partnerships and infrastructure projects, said that apart from telling the Corbett administration he didn't think it could improve the performance of the lottery, he'd "assiduously" stayed away from the deal and had not involved himself in Greenhill's dealings with the administration.

"First of all, I have a vested interest in the good work we did [with the lottery] and, No. 2, it's probably not a good idea for me to be involved in anything seeking a competitive bid from the Corbett administration," Rendell said.

Corbett's spokesman, Kevin Harley, also said he was unaware of any involvement by Rendell in Greenhill's dealings with the administration.

Greenhill could be paid as much as $30 million if the administration decides to award the management of the Pennsylvania Lottery to Camelot. The consultants would be paid out of the $50 million put up by Camelot, the state Department of Revenue has said.

Legislative Democrats have questioned why the Republican administration would spin off the lottery at a time when it is a national leader in sales and keeps costs low. The administration has defended its decision, saying it wants to maximize revenue for senior citizens programs. It has also said the state will retain ownership of the lottery.

Still, at least one good government advocate said Rendell's ties to Greenhill don't do much to dispel the impression of a cozy relation between big business and the politically powerful.

"The appearance is awful," said Eric Epstein of the good government group Rock the Capital. "Obviously [Rendell] has a right to make a living."

But Greenhill didn't hire Rendell "to be eye candy," Epstein noted. "They hired him to be a rainmaker and it's raining."

Corbett has faced increasing scrutiny of his plan to let Camelot handle the day-to-day management of the lottery. And a union representing most of the lottery's 230 employees has filed suit, charging that the administration does not have the authority to enter into the agreement.

At a news conference last week, Corbett sidestepped questions about the administration's negotiations with Camelot to extend the deadline for a bid. He also defended the administration's authority to enter into the management agreement without seeking legislative authorization.

"Right now we are evaluating it," Corbett said, adding that the administration must also consider a counterproposal set to be submitted by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Morning Call

Comments

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

Democrat Ed Rendell has absolutely nothing to do with this and doesn't stand to profit a penny from it!

And like everything I say, that is the absolute truth!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go feed my Unicorn.

cbr$'s avatarcbr$

We , are just giving to many bids to these consultants companys and interest groups. All for more profits. The profit is coming out Lottery players pocket in that state. I have questions. Can the people from the United  Kingdom play in the PENN. if the Camelot Group win the bid? If the British company win the bid can the people in that country play in the Pennsylvania Lottery? Think about these, Lottery player, do we really want one of these consultants to be working on 4- 5- or more State Lottery at the same time? I belive that to much power put in one company lap. These is a about profit.  US Flag                           Thinking of...

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

We could not wait for Spendell Rendell to leave Office here! He was the biggest crook in our History!

dr65's avatardr65

Crackpot Corbett needs to be deported.

RedStang's avatarRedStang

What a slap in the face to the employees who worked hard to build up their lottery.

jamella724

If the decision will benefit the majority of the PA people, then I agree to the privatization. But if this will only benefit those in authority, it might as well remain in the hands of State lottery....

terry407

what does this do for us seniors that benifit from te pa. lottery

JezzVim

#1 

The Governor doesn't give a hill of beans about the Senior Citizens that the lottery was set up for.  NO mention of their benefits being cut or deminished.

#2 or should be #1

NO company is going to take over the lottery without winfall profits.  I can see the scams now.   If anyone thinks its hard to hit the daily or other games now, wait until they take over.  I still remember the first time 666 played and it was a set up, just think when the 'company' takes over how many 666's we will have.   And the excuse will be that they are 'allowed to make a profit' because they are a business.

#3

I can't recall anything that this Governor has done anything to benefit any citizens of PA.  Nada.  God forbid if 'Fast Eddie' has anything to do with the sale as the story mentioned.  Wasn't Corbit involved in the Sandusky case?   Why wasn't he investigated for not following through on it when he was in his previoius office?

# 4 to #99

I have been following this story for nearly a year now, I have been doing my part by contacting my Representatives and making a load of noise when I play my lotteries to let others know what is going on, with the hopes that they will make noise. 

Its a sad day when we distrust those that we vote in office.  Its even more of a heartbreak when they take our trust and use it against us.   There is something everyone can do, PROTEST.

ORGANIZE - PICKET - BURN LOTTERY TICKETS AT THE CAPITAL (LOSERS OF COURSE) - Get the Seniors involved because they are the ones that will lose if it goes through.  Better yet, send ALL of your losers to the State House addressed to Corbin. 

AND

Let's pick ONE DAY to NOT PLAY THE LOTTERY - NADA

LET US PLAYERS GET ORGANIZED!!

Siaa4me

No to privatiztion= is equal to more unemployment in this country!

I've been playing lottery for quite a while, since I was dignosed with CA type III/Active, the Drs, are done 3 biopsy and they concured that  the cancer is active, but they have to repeted the biopsy every 6 months, without treatments, to see if it gone the same way appear... so I just want to have the necessary resources(money) to help my husband in this agony of waiting  time. No luck at this moment. I pray to Lord that if he give this miracle of win a sustancial amount I will help a family or several persons who lost everything on the storm Sandy. I feel in my heart that this will be a medicine for me because when you give from your heart is a medicine that pumps in your body good energy and this thing called "CA type III" will be destroyed. If you read this post and you feel the same as I'm please pray for me help to ask to the Lord to win the lottery to help someone in need from the storm Sandy and to have the money for my treatment I'm only 52, and recently married 2 years....... please do not hesitate and pray with me.

Be bless,Hyper

SIM

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

Quote: Originally posted by Siaa4me on Dec 30, 2012

No to privatiztion= is equal to more unemployment in this country!

I've been playing lottery for quite a while, since I was dignosed with CA type III/Active, the Drs, are done 3 biopsy and they concured that  the cancer is active, but they have to repeted the biopsy every 6 months, without treatments, to see if it gone the same way appear... so I just want to have the necessary resources(money) to help my husband in this agony of waiting  time. No luck at this moment. I pray to Lord that if he give this miracle of win a sustancial amount I will help a family or several persons who lost everything on the storm Sandy. I feel in my heart that this will be a medicine for me because when you give from your heart is a medicine that pumps in your body good energy and this thing called "CA type III" will be destroyed. If you read this post and you feel the same as I'm please pray for me help to ask to the Lord to win the lottery to help someone in need from the storm Sandy and to have the money for my treatment I'm only 52, and recently married 2 years....... please do not hesitate and pray with me.

Be bless,Hyper

SIM

Prayers for your recovery in Jesus' name.

Take care.

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Heavenly FATHER, please be with Siaa4me & family. LORD give her the strength to receive her treatments, LORD give them comfort & peace of mind. In JESUS name Amen!!!!

End of comments
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