Florida Lottery Secretary Resigns Over Findings of Corporate Card Misuse

TALLAHASSEE – In a letter to Gov. Rick Scott on Friday, Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O'Connell announced her resignation. The announcement comes after recent findings that O'Connell may have misused her corporate credit American Express card.

In records requested by The Associated Press, it was found that O'Connell used the card to pay for personal expenses, such as items from grocery and department stores, as well as hair salon and car wash bills. In the process, she received late fees and delinquent charges.

O'Connell, who has been with the department since 2011, advised in her letter that she wanted to "explore opportunities in the private sector," will officially leave her position on October 1.

Florida Lottery spokeswoman Connie Barnes has advised that the department was immediately stopping the use of corporate credit cards that have been given to about 70 other employees.

Lottery Deputy Secretary of Sales and Marketing Tom Delacenserie has been named interim secretary by Scott. In a statement, the governor said, "Cynthia has been part of my team since my first year in office and she has done a tremendous job serving Florida families."