Lottery Director Resigns

Arkansas Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue has resigned and the commission has accepted his offer to leave effective October 7.

Passailaigue was credited with one of the fastest start-ups of a lottery in the nation, but his tenure was marred by a variety of controversies ranging from financial mismanagement to tenuous political relations with the state legislature.

Lottery spokesperson Julie Baldridge will serve as interim director while a successor is pursued.

For commentary on who that might be and a recap of Passailaigue’s time in Arkansas, read John Brummett at this link or Jason Tolbert here.

Also, our content partner, KUAR FM 89 News, has an interview with Lottery Commission chair Dianne Lamberth.