The Arkansas Lottery Commission has expressed that they will not rush to find a replacement for director Ernie Passailaigue  who resigned a few weeks ago. Powerball lottery

The commission consisting of nine members have not voted on a description for this post since they want to review the criteria and they definitely want to take their time for this.  According to the Commission´s Chairwoman Dianne Lamberth, most likely the panel would likely wait until November to vote on a description for the post and then begin a search for the post

“We think things are running fairly smoothly right now. We’re getting people moved into the right positions,” Lamberth told reporters after the commission held a retreat at National Park Community College in Hot Springs. “We’re lean, but we’re working really smart and I think (the commissioners) don’t feel like we have to make that decision today.”

The Arkansas Lottery Commission hired Passailaigue who was the director of the South Carolina lottery, in 2009 for a quick start -up of the Arkansas lottery. He resigned on Sept. 19 after a series of complaints about the games’ management, including a nearly $100,000 penalty it faces from the Internal Revenue Service for late payments.

After Passailaigue’s departure, Vice President for Gaming David Barden resigned and Vice President Ernestine Middleton was fired. Both had followed Passailaigue from South Carolina to help start the games. Mega lottery

Commissioners said how to fill those positions will ultimately be decided after the commission finds a new director. Julie Baldridge, who is serving as the games’ interim director, will not be a candidate for the permanent director position.

Lamberth said the new director will most likely lead to a different organization of the lottery’s management and a restructuring of those positions.

Another issue with Passailaigue and his staff was their salary which was criticized.   Passailaigue made $326, 000 a year and Barden and Middleton received $225,000 each for the time they stayed. 

Lamberth and top lawmakers have  expressed that the next director should not expect such a salary.   State law sets the lottery director’s maximum salary at $141,603, but allows the commission to pay as much as $354,000 with legislative approval.