A former chancellor at UNC-Charlotte is the newest member of North Carolina's Lottery Commission.

Jim Woodward was appointed to the commission Wednesday by state House Speaker Jim Black, even as the threat of criminal charges loomed over the man he's replacing.

A state regulator said former commissioner Kevin Geddings, two other people and a company that may seek a lottery contract appear to have broken North Carolina's lobbying laws. A letter from the Secretary of State's Office refers the case to state attorneys to consider whether to file misdemeanor charges.

Geddings resigned from the commission after it was revealed that he was paid $24,500 this year by Scientific Games.