Judge sides with House Speaker in Florida Lottery lawsuit

March 7, 2017

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A Tallahassee judge is siding with House Speaker Richard Corcoran in a lawsuit that contends the administration of Gov. Rick Scott approved an illegal contract.

Circuit Judge Karen Gievers on Tuesday ruled that the Florida Lottery lacked the legal authority to approve a 15-year contract worth more than $700 million. She declared the contract "void and unenforceable."

Corcoran sued the state's lottery secretary last month, arguing the contract with IGT Global Solutions to run lottery games is illegal, because it exceeds the Florida Lottery's authorized budget.

Attorneys representing the lottery said the agency followed the law because the contract states that it is contingent on state funding.

The contract calls for increasing from 2,000 to 5,500 the number of automated ticket machines capable of selling both scratch-off tickets and tickets for games such as Powerball.

March 6, 2017

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida judge must decide if the administration of Gov. Rick Scott broke the law when the state lottery approved a contract worth over $700 million.

Attorneys for the Florida Lottery and House Speaker Richard Corcoran squared off in court on Monday for several hours. Judge Karen Gievers did not immediately rule.

Corcoran sued the state's lottery secretary last month, arguing the contract with IGT Global Solutions to run lottery games is illegal because it exceeds the Florida Lottery's authorized budget.

Attorneys representing the lottery say the agency followed the law because the contract states that it is contingent on state funding.

Since becoming speaker in November, Corcoran has sparred with Scott over the state's tourism marketing and economic development agencies.

February 17, 2017

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran wants a court to block a massive new contract the Florida Lottery approved last fall.

Corcoran on Friday filed a lawsuit in a Leon County court against the state's lottery secretary for approving a 13-year contract with IGT Global Solutions worth more than $700 million.

The contract calls for increasing from 2,000 to 5,500 the number of automated ticket machines capable of selling both scratch-off tickets and tickets for games such as Powerball.

Corcoran's lawsuit maintains that lottery officials broke the law because they approved a contract that exceeds the department's authorized budget.

Jackie Schutz, a spokeswoman for Scott, said in a statement, "The Florida Lottery’s record sales have led to historic contributions to our state’s education system and the House sues? Not shocking to have another lawsuit from a trial lawyer."