LJWorld.com

• Email
• iPod-friendly
• Print

Topeka — Gov. Bill Graves is talking about the impending departure of the Kansas Lottery's director, but his chief attorney has suggested to him that his administration should keep quiet about lottery issues.

Graves acknowledged Thursday to reporters that he had concerns about the management style of Greg Ziemak, the lottery's executive director since 1993. Ziemak has accepted a similar job in his home state of Connecticut.

In a memo, the governor's chief counsel, Natalie Haag, said it would be best that the administration not discuss lottery issues publicly because of a pending criminal case involving a former lottery employee. Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer, who received a copy of the memo, described it Thursday to The Associated Press.

The former lottery employee, Richard Lee Knowlton of Topeka, faces 268 theft, computer crime and official misconduct charges in Shawnee County District Court. He is accused of altering tickets and computer records to steal nearly $63,000 from the lottery.

Ziemak never was a target of the criminal investigation that led to the charges against Knowlton. However, Knowlton's case led to questions about Ziemak's management, and some legislators have suggested the director's style may have been too hands-off.

Graves, during a retreat for his Cabinet Thursday, told a reporter he had concerns about Ziemak's strengths as a manager.

"I have felt all along that Greg had very good technical skills," Graves said. "I think if there has been any question mark, it was all focused on the strengths on the management side."

Ziemak has strong defenders. During his tenure, lottery sales increased 26 percent and amounted to more than $192 million during the 12 months ending June 30.

Knowlton's attorney, William Rork of Topeka, has promised that serious problems in the lottery will come to light as Knowlton's case proceeds. Knowlton argues his prosecution is designed to divert attention from those problems.

Another hearing in Knowlton's case is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday. Rork said he plans to object to the state keeping property seized during a search of Knowlton's home Tuesday, when he was released on $70,000 bail.

Meanwhile, Connecticut Gov. John G. Rowland's spokesman, Dean Pagani, said Rowland did not know about the questions about Ziemak until hearing news accounts Thursday.

The Connecticut Lottery Corp. was created in 1996, and Ziemak will report to its board of directors. Pagani noted that the governor does not appoint the corporation's chief executive officer.

"Quite frankly, he doesn't know enough about (the allegations) to have an opinion," Pagani said. "He just learned about it."

In Kansas, Haag's advice to Graves was that members of his administration not comment about lottery issues because Knowlton's case is pending.

During an interview, Sherrer said he would abide by it until he had a chance to talk to Haag about it.

"Part of this job is having an opinion and expressing it," Sherrer said.

Haag wouldn't discuss the memo.

"What I advise my client is confidential," she said. "Only Bill Graves can waive that privilege."