FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 30, 2002

James O'Keefe for State Treasurer
PO Box 441031
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 628-2922
info@jamesokeefe.org
www.jamesokeefe.org

Contact:
Vanessa Bliss, Campaign Manager

News Release

JAMES O'KEEFE BLASTS WELFARE FOR RACE TRACK, LOTTERY PROBLEMS

SOMERVILLE – James O'Keefe, Green Party nominee for State Treasurer, called for an end to the Massachusetts Lottery’s sweetheart deal with the Raynham Greyhound Race Track. Like other lottery sales agents, the Raynham track is legally entitled to redeem claims of up to $600. However, the State Treasurer has allowed the Raynham track to redeem claims of up to $49,999.99. “Treasurer O’Brien is allowing the Raynham track to fatten its profits at the expense of the people and other lottery agents. This is corporate welfare in action and, as State Treasurer, I will stop it.” said O’Keefe.

James O’Keefe is committed to cleaning up the operations of the lottery. By failing to manage its sales agents, the lottery has lost $9 million dollars over the last four years due to non-performance by sales agents. Additionally, the lottery failed to ensure that lottery agents pay for all of the tickets they sell. James O’Keefe will ensure that the lottery provides the proper oversight of sales agents and will increase the fee that the lottery charges sales agents when they operate a bond premium. “The millions of dollars the lottery lost due to fraud and mismanagement is money our cities and towns desperately need,” stated O’Keefe.

The lottery commission’s failure to comply with the state’s open meeting law shows its lack of accountability to the people of Massachusetts. James O’Keefe will open commission meetings to the public, make sure they are advertised in advance and post all meeting minutes on the internet for public review. “With the recent corporate scandals, the state lottery must be open for public scrutiny,” said O’Keefe.

“I am the only candidate unconnected to the insider politics practiced by the Democrats and Republicans. As State Treasurer, I will listen only to the voices of citizens, not those of special interests,” stated O’Keefe.

ABOUT JAMES O'KEEFE - As State Treasurer, James O’Keefe is committed to making government and corporations accountable to all citizens and ensuring that the Commonwealth’s investments are used to build a just and sustainable Massachusetts. He received a Masters degree in Economics from Boston University. James is a senior quality assurance engineer, and currently works in the technology sector. He lives in Somerville with his wife and young son.