It seems that California gambling regulators have a way of retiring and opening independent gaming consulting firms that leave them open to criticism.
When the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Tiffany Conklin, who served on the California Gambling Control Commission for six years, had left it to establish a gaming consulting firm, her actions drew immediate unflattering comparisons to that of Robert Lytle, who retired as director of the California Division of Gambling Control after serving from 2003-2007 and shortly thereafter set up a gaming consulting service and faced charges of corruption after he allegedly illegally acquired information on an investigation of a client.
Conklin protests that she doesn’t plan to have any contact with her former commissioners for three years, as required by law, she is still drawing criticisms from organizations such as Stand up for California, a casino watchdog group. Cheryl Schmit told the U-T “this type of activity will continue to foster the culture of corruption that occurred with Robert Lytle.”
Lytle was forced to give up his gaming license and pay a $75,000 fine over his conduct, which also led to the resignations of the chairman and executive director of the Gambling Control Commission, who had been close associates of his. Lytle was also accused of creating his consulting business while he was still working for the state government.
Conklin asserts, “I have not entered into any contracts,” and says she plans to concentrate on legislation. She adds, “I did not let anyone know of my plans.”
Conklin told the newspaper, “I was definitely aware of the optics on this,” and said she had no plans to communicate with any of the current staff during the three-year embargo period.
Jim Evans, chairman of the California Gambling Control Commission said he expected Conklin to “follow the letter and spirit of the law.”
