Lottery Commission Member Resigns on Eve of Hearing
On the eve of his contested confirmation hearing, California Lottery Commission member Richard A. Cramer abruptly resigned Tuesday, saying the press of business prevented him from devoting enough time to the job.
Cramer, a San Diego businessman who was appointed to the commission by Gov. Pete Wilson a year ago, was scheduled to appear before the Senate Rules Committee today to answer questions about the lottery’s handling of a series of contracts. The committee had unanimously recommended his confirmation Feb. 10 but was directed last week by the full Senate to take another look at the appointment.
Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) said he had concerns that Cramer and the other four members of the commission had failed to function as lottery watchdogs and had become rubber stamps for director Sharon Sharp. He said, for example, they had approved her recommendation for the awarding of a $400-million computer contract without questioning why only one company was bidding on it.
A Wilson spokesman insisted that the appointees were “competent and qualified” and that their service was “exemplary.”
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