Ex-Texas Lottery Commission Director Was Briefly Indicted on Abuse of Office Charges

(AsiaGameHub) –   The former director of the Texas Lottery Commission, Gary Grief, was indicted for abuse of office, though court records show the charges were swiftly dismissed.

The Texas Lottery Commission Was Embroiled in a Huge Scandal

Grief first faced scrutiny following the $95 million Lotto jackpot scandal in 2023, which intensified opposition to lottery couriers across Texas. The controversy stemmed from a Europe-based consortium purchasing every possible combination to secure the $95 million Lotto jackpot that year, ensuring a guaranteed win.

Compounding the issue, the Texas Lottery Commission facilitated the massive ticket purchase by printing thousands of tickets through four state-licensed retailers. The agency also permitted the buyers to use additional terminals and supplied them with pallets of paper to handle the volume.

The contentious win ignited widespread debate over the legality of bulk lottery ticket purchases, ultimately raising concerns about lottery courier apps that buy tickets on behalf of customers. Grief, who served as director during the incident, drew sharp criticism over the $95 million payout, which was labeled “the biggest theft from the people of Texas in the history of Texas.”

Amid mounting pressure and backlash, Grief stepped down in 2024. In the wake of the scandal, the Texas Lottery Commission was dissolved, and oversight of the lottery was transferred to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Additionally, lottery couriers were ultimately banned in the state, with legislators citing concerns that such platforms could enable similar bulk purchases in the future.

The Texas Lottery Commission Director Was Briefly Indicted

Recent reports from the Houston Chronicle indicate that court documents reveal Grief was recently indicted for abuse of office. The indictment alleged that he “intentionally and knowingly misused government property”—specifically, the Lotto Texas drawing—thereby enabling the disputed $95 million jackpot win.

However, the case was dropped the following day by the Travis County District Attorney’s office, which cited “prosecutorial discretion” as the reason. The Houston Chronicle was unable to reach the assistant district attorney or Grief’s legal counsel for further comment.

The outlet described the abrupt and unexplained dismissal as “another element of mystery” surrounding the affair.

Separately, a trust recently claimed a $78 million jackpot just days before the ticket’s expiration date.