The S.C. Lottery Commission has a new leader … but it’s not who everyone thought it was going to be.
Interim Executive Director Paula Harper Bethea out-dueled State Sen. John Courson to win the coveted $226,000 a year post, replacing scandal-plagued former director Ernest L. Passailaigue, who left earlier this year to take a position with the Arkansas Lottery.
Courson had initially been thought to be the frontrunner, but Bethea – a “civic leader” from Bluffton, S.C. reportedly made an all-out push for the post upon learning of his ambitions.
The Lottery Commission promised to conduct a nationwide search for its new leader, but according to a story on Bethea’s hiring in The State newspaper “that search apparently never took flight.”
WEB EXTRA
By justsaynotojoe September 23, 2009 at 8:37 am
and she got the job because;
Commissioner Edie Rodgers said Bethea “knows how we operate in South Carolina; we don’t have to train someone
By Toyota Kawaski September 23, 2009 at 10:54 am
so much for your scoop last week on Courson Nice work fits
By Commonman September 23, 2009 at 10:56 am
Paula Bethea is more qualified than the previous Director or any potential in state candidates. She is an astute business woman that puts the State first. She was instrumental in getting the Lottery off to a strong start. She knows the devil is in the details. She is well respected with nary a hint of scandal. I’m thankful we did not waste money on a nationwide search to bring in an outsider to show us how they do it somewhere else. She is an excellent choice.
By Paula's Rat Tail September 23, 2009 at 11:40 am
There is nothing better than a former office assistant who originally opposed the lottery to now lead it. Bethea is a “yes” to whatever it is her Board tells her to do, and I will forecast that it will hurt the SCEL tremendously.
By the way Will, I thought you would have found a picture of her sporting a rat tail, which she used to have.
If I give the Republican leadership contributions, will they appoint me head of the ESC? This is appointment is a joke.
By Paula'sRatTail, Go To Hell September 23, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Paula’s Rat Tail,
You apparently have no clue what your talking about. Ms. Bethea is by fair one of the most astute business women in this state, thus the reason she has more awards than you probably have teeth in your head (which may not be a good comparsion based upon your lack of intelligent or factually based comments.) Ms. Bethea is fine selection and will serve our state greatly.
Based upon your comments, you could likely give the Republican leadership contributions and they may appoint you Guhbnah because you seem to have your head shoved up your a** as much as the current one does.
By BLBarBob September 23, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Did Courson fail to have sex with the proper people?
By BIN News September 23, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Yawn.
By What an idiotic issue September 24, 2009 at 11:34 am
Great idea to put someone with personal money problems in charge of managing billions of dollars at the lottery. Brilliant. Hopefully her new hefty salary will get her personal finances in line, but isn’t it even a requirement that she pass a personal credit check in order to get this kind of a job?
By SnakeMD October 23, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Credit check??? It sure never stopped former Gov Carroll Campbell from holding office. The poor fellow made tons of $$ and could never manage his finances. Same with that former fellow who inspected the dead for SC. I think a credit score of 600 or less should be a requirement for SC office holders.
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