By USA Daily Now 
The Texas Lottery Commission announced Monday that its Executive Director, RYAN MINDELL, has resigned effective immediately. The announcement comes as the agency faces multiple investigations ordered by Governor GREG ABBOTT and Texas Attorney General KEN PAXTON into the integrity of lottery prizes and the state’s handling of courier companies that facilitate online ticket purchases.
Lottery couriers, which are currently unregulated, allow customers to order tickets online via websites or mobile apps. These companies then send representatives to purchase tickets in person from licensed retailers, scan the tickets, and deliver them to customers. Couriers charge a fee for their services and retain the physical tickets until they are determined to be winners or non-winners. The Texas Lottery Commission has emphasized that these companies operate under private business arrangements with retailers.
Governor ABBOTT has directed the Texas Rangers to investigate two high-profile lottery wins: an $83 million ticket sold in Austin in February and a $95 million ticket sold in Colleyville in April 2023. While lottery officials and courier companies have denied any wrongdoing, state lawmakers are considering measures ranging from banning courier sales to defunding the agency entirely.
In a statement to The Associated Press, Governor ABBOTT’s spokesman, ANDREW MAHALERIS, emphasized the governor’s expectation that the Texas Lottery Commission operate within legal boundaries and maintain public trust, regardless of leadership changes.
The Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers has accused MINDELL of unfairly targeting courier companies to deflect from the agency’s own issues. In a statement, the coalition expressed hope that MINDELL’s departure would lead to a reconsideration of the agency’s policies and foster better collaboration between couriers and the Commission.
SERGIO REY, the former Chief Financial Officer of the Texas Lottery Commission, has been appointed Acting Deputy Executive Director. The Commission’s board will discuss the selection process for a new executive director at its next open meeting on April 29.
This report includes contributions from The Associated Press.
[Source: Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com) | [Source: The Associated Press](https://apnews.com)