Ohio Lottery: Ohio Lottery Fires Human Resources Director
The Ohio Lottery's Human Resources director was fired after officials say she tapped an employee's phone line.
Renee Bianchi said she did nothing wrong and listened to conversations in her role as human resources director.
Lottery Director Dennis Kennedy fired Bianchi Friday. In a letter to her, he says she was fired for "dishonesty, insubordination" and other actions.
A separate letter says Bianchi authorized a wiretap using state equipment and played at least one recorded conversation for another employee.
Bianchi, 47, said she consulted a lottery attorney before any conversations were recorded. She also said she started monitoring the phone calls after Kennedy failed to support her in dealing with a personnel issue.
The employee who actually installed the wiretap apparently hasn't been disciplined, lottery officials and Bianchi said.
"I have been a loyal, good, state and lottery employee for 13 years," Bianchi said Wednesday. "I'm really sad about this whole thing. It didn't have to be like this."
Lottery officials wouldn't say why Bianchi recorded the conversations or whose phone was tapped. They said the State Highway Patrol is investigating.
Bianchi was paid $69,000 a year in the job.