Judge dismisses ex-lottery chair’s defamation suit

A Connecticut judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by the former state lottery chair against fellow lottery officials over what he called lies they told others about his conduct, including claims he took bribes.

Judge Kenneth Povodator threw out the case Monday, saying Frank Farricker did not show probable cause he would prevail if the case went to trial.

Farricker sued former Connecticut Lottery Corp. President Anne Noble, former Vice President Chelsea Turner and former Human Resources Director Jane Rooney in late 2019, saying they made false statements that damaged his reputation and caused him “severe” emotional distress.

Noble, Turner and Rooney denied the allegations and called the lawsuit a continued retaliation effort by Farricker against them for expressing concerns about his conduct, their court filings say.

Farricker said the false statements included that he corruptly influenced other state officials to award a contract to a company from which he received bribes.

Turner contacted the FBI in 2014 about her concerns about Farricker. An FBI investigation ended with no charges.

Messages seeking comment were left Tuesday for Farricker and a lawyer for Noble, Turner and Rooney.

Farricker resigned in 2017 amid a scandal involving a lottery instant game. Turner left the lottery nearly a year ago after being suspended when lottery officials discovered she had gone to the FBI, according to a pending lawsuit by Turner against the lottery.