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California Governor appoints new lottery director

News

California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed former tribal lobbyist Alva Johnson as director of the State Lottery. 

Johnson replaces Hugo Lopez, who announced that he was stepping down as lottery director last week, following allegations of misconduct and inappropriate spending. He had held the role since 2015.

His replacement is an experienced lobbyist, serving as director of intergovernmental affairs for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians between 2016 and 2018.

Previously he was employed as executive director of governmental affairs and public relations for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for a decade, and also worked for law firm Fredericks, Peebles and Morgan.

Johnson has previous experience with the lottery, serving as its legislative liaison in 2001.

In the lottery’s 2016-17 financial year, the most recent full-year figures available, it generated sales of $6.3bn, with 24.9 cents in every dollar raised used to fund education programmes in the state.