Published: June 10, 2019

California Lottery director steps down amid controversy, pressure from governor’s office

Hugo Lopez stepped down as director of the California Lottery on Friday.

Lopez sent employees an email Friday that cited growth of lottery revenue but did not mention the agency’s recent troubles, including a state audit in April that questioned the agency’s spending.

Lopez told employees that it was with “mixed feelings” that he was notifying them that Friday was his last day, and that his role heading the lottery during the last 3½ years had been the highlight of 31 years in public service.