The Allegations Against Former Texas Lottery Commissioner Gary Grief

Recently, new allegations have surfaced regarding former Texas Lottery Commissioner Gary Grief’s involvement in a $95 million Lotto Texas jackpot from April 2023. The Senate Finance Committee has been investigating the handling of this jackpot, leading to shocking revelations about Grief’s role in the matter.

In a Houston Chronicle investigation, it was revealed that a group of investors had manipulated the system by spending millions to buy almost every possible number combination, essentially gaming the $95 million jackpot. The state’s Sunset Advisory Commission also raised concerns about Grief’s actions, stating that he operated in gray areas of the law when the agency’s authority was unclear.

The Allegations

According to Houston-based lawyer Manfred Sternberg, his client believes that a criminal conspiracy involving Grief and Lottery.com began in 2017. Allegations include Grief lobbying Lottery.com founders to move their business to Austin, making changes to lottery rules in favor of Lottery.com, and facilitating the printing of illegal lottery tickets.

The documents provided by Sternberg allege that Grief helped Lottery.com print hundreds of thousands of tickets for the April 2023 drawing on credit, using a Malta-based company to create QR codes for scanning into Texas Lottery terminals. Eyewitnesses reportedly saw Lottery.com co-founders Tony DiMatteo and Matthew Clemenson scanning these QR codes, even though they had left the company by then.

Retirement and Legal Action

Grief retired in early 2024, just before the allegations came to light. Some senators are calling for an investigation by the Texas Rangers or the Attorney General’s Office to look into the criminal activities surrounding the lottery. Dawn Nettles, founder of LottoReport.com, has filed a class-action lawsuit against the entities involved in the jackpot incident.

The Texas Gaming Commission has stated that they are actively investigating the allegations, while Lottery.com has claimed that they have replaced their entire board and management team and are cooperating with authorities.

FAQs

1. What are the specific allegations against Gary Grief?

Allegations include Grief’s involvement in a criminal conspiracy with Lottery.com, lobbying for rule changes benefiting the company, and facilitating the printing of illegal lottery tickets.

2. What actions have been taken regarding the $95 million jackpot incident?

A class-action lawsuit has been filed, and investigations are ongoing by the Texas Gaming Commission and other law enforcement agencies.

3. How did Lottery.com manipulate the system to win the jackpot?

Lottery.com reportedly spent millions buying almost every possible number combination for the jackpot, exploiting a flaw in the system.

4. What is the response from Lottery.com regarding the allegations?

Lottery.com has replaced its board and management team, cooperated with authorities, and stated its commitment to operating with integrity and compliance with laws.

5. What are the potential consequences for those involved in the jackpot incident?

If found guilty, individuals involved could face criminal charges, fines, and legal repercussions for manipulating the lottery system.