Five veteran Lottery employees on Thursday demanded that senior department executives resign amid investigations into hiring practices and alleged misconduct on a work-related trip two years ago.
They addressed the state Lottery Commission one month after an anonymous writer sent a letter to officials in Gov. Jerry Brown's administration that included pictures of senior Lottery leaders carrying on at a Southern California bar. It also included anecdotes describing disparaging treatment of employees.
(See California Lottery officials seen in bawdy photos sent to governor, Lottery Post, Aug. 10, 2018.)
"This is unacceptable in state service. It is not who we are and it is time for these people to go. We are here today to demand resignations," said Paulina Vasquez, a lottery sales representative and union shop steward.
Lottery Director Hugo Lopez and Lottery Commission Chairman Gregory Ahern did not call for discipline at the commission meeting, but each in prepared remarks outlined unfolding investigations.
"Please be aware that these matters are being addressed," Ahern said when the employees concluded their remarks.
Brown's office in August requested the Department of Justice review the anonymous letter's allegations, and Lottery employees say agents are beginning to interview workers. Separately, the State Controller's Office is conducting an audit of Lottery expenses.
Lottery Director Lopez said the department has stressed in recent training a state law that allows public employees to be disciplined if their actions discredit their employer.
The anonymous letter writer alleged that Lopez was among the senior executives who attended a piano bar after a sales conference where one department leader was photographed with his head in a woman's shirt.
"Whether or not any allegations are substantiated, this incident has served as a reminder of what is expected of Lottery employees," he said.
The workers who called for resignations said they were worried about retaliation for speaking out at the commission's public meeting. They shook hands with commissioners after the meeting, and Ahern thanked them for the years they've worked for department.
"It's time to bring back honesty, integrity, professionalism and trust to our management team," 25-year Lottery employee Catherine Alvarado said during the worker presentation.
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Apparently it is possible to remain Annonymous in California!
So the author of the anonymous letter is " not satisfied" that there is an ongoing investigation, they want action, and they want it now. Word to the wise: Be prepared for what happens next.
I think it was Floyd who posted that if this party was after hours & off property, these partygoers have " right" too. Just because you did not like what was going on, does not mean you get your wish. This issue stews for two years, and this person or persons cannot " let go?" That person or persons could also be viewed as a cancer in the workplace, always wanting to make sure things go their way or the highway. The CA lottery workers are not working in a convent. Like l said- be prepared for what happens next.
If the investigation does not pan out with this poop stirrer, he or she may be able to buy California lottery tickets as an ex-employee.
This is ammunition for the Republicans. Democrats who are in a tight race to keep their seats hate this news story.
There are those people who find it extremely difficult to let go of past events. They have to have things go their way, or not at all. Go through broken down relationships & years later complain, that they were not at fault, always the other person. This individual or individuals did not like what they saw at the bar, took pics & now wants people fired. Once again, it's what they want! What if these folks do get fired, cannot get another job because this is out there, have to dig into their savings to make ends meet, perhaps move to another State, because they are now considered pariahs?
How do you sleep at night, knowing this is your doing?
How is having your head up a woman's shirt ammunition for the Republicans music? We discussing the lottery bud, not politics.
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Not really having understood the article, I just want to say that I hope all gets sorted out,
and that nobody, if possible, if guilty, gets too severely punished.
Mr. Groppo
You have that backwards: It was a woman that had her shirt over a man's head!
Know what Raven62, you right. She put him in that position, allowed him to end up there. Probably had her smoky eye makeup on,looking irresistible. That poor sap, could now find himself out of a job.Its moments like those, where you have to ask yourself " was it worth it?"
You still don't believe: She is sitting in a power position on his lap: His hands are on her hips: Her hands on the hem of her shirt like she just stretched the shirt and snared his head: More than likely he is a passive participant.
LOL. She looks like she's having a good time with his head up there.
It's too bad there's not video with audio so we could not only see who is responsible for them being in that position, but could also hear the motorboat noises.
Bait 'em with the "P" word, gets you everytime.
When it comes to trapping, you've got to have the right bait to catch the critter.
All l know is that these two were having, what they would call,a good time. I mean besides being loaded,they were carrying on like they were the last two humans on earth.That gal in the back on her phone, doesn't give a rat's a** on going on. It is a party after all. " Drink & be merry" - that's written somewhere.
* Something that has not been mentioned,is the possibility that these two could be recently married, and they " just expressing " their love for each other, in an open forum.
Get a Room!
Maybe they did...two years ago!
"It was a woman that had her shirt over a man's head!"
That people automatically assume the guy is the instigator is just one more example of how sexism and sexist stereotypes are ingrained in our society.
Kinda sad what makes top news nowadays! All that investigation money could be used for more productive things like helping ppl that lost everything to fires maybe? As far as the cheap pic I wasnt there so idk mayb could be taken care of in a less public way? Is the idea to make them unemployable or fix the problem?
Very good post, seems there are a few on here with some common sense.
FWIW: Their is an anti-male agenda sweeping the nation, or to be more accurate, sweeping the nation's media.
What if a female gay couple were photographed doing this, think this whistleblower would be calling for firings?Or is it as you said,an anti male agenda?
look again. It looks like to me that she is either taking photos or is video taping what’s going on. IJS
I might think so too if I was a loser.