Ohio Lottery Director Pat McDonald abruptly resigned Wednesday, with the governor's office saying he cited “medical reasons” as the cause.
McDonald had run the $4 billion lottery operation since his appointment by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in February 2019. He previously served on the Ohio Lottery Commission since 2007, including eight years as its chairman.
“I can confirm that Director McDonald submitted his resignation and intent to retire due to medical reasons to our office today,” DeWine's spokesman, Dan Tierney, told in an email.
He said that Michelle Gillcrist, the governor's aerospace and defense liaison and Northeast Ohio regional liaison, will take over as the lottery's interim director.