Lawmaker questions California Lottery's 'Ellen' giveaway A state legislator wants an audit of the California Lottery to look into a whistleblower complaint about more than $200,000 worth of scratchers tickets given to Ellen DeGeneres’ TV show for audience giftsLOS ANGELES -- A state legislator wants an audit of the California Lottery to look into a whistleblower complaint about more than $212,000 worth of Scratchers tickets that were given to Ellen DeGeneres’ TV show for audience gifts. The controversy has arisen just weeks before the release of a lottery audit requested last year by California Senator Ling Ling Chang after allegations of wasteful spending, improper gifts and nepotism. Chang said the audit should investigate the TV show giveaway because she’s concerned about funding that the lottery is supposed to generate for California public schools. “I want to know how this contribution affects supplemental funding to California public schools. “The Ellen Show offered a unique opportunity to increase consumer awareness of California Lottery’s contributions to public education while helping to drive sales of Holiday Scratchers,” Lopez said.

Source: ABC News February 07, 2020 19:12 UTC