Criminal Probe of Ex-Texas Lottery Employee Launched AUSTIN, OK (kccu-fm) - Authorities have launched a criminal investigation of a former Texas Lottery employee who gained possession of unauthorized data.

Prosecutor Beverly Mathews says the Travis County District Attorney's Office has ``received a criminal referral'' and is investigating. She declined further comment.

The Texas Lottery Commission disclosed the ongoing probe in a cryptic three-paragraph statement that didn't name the target of the investigation nor which state officials are investigating. The agency said the employee had gained access to information about what it called only ``certain TLC employees, certain licensed retailers, and certain prize winners.''

The agency said letters are being sent ``to all potentially affected parties, informing them of the alleged unauthorized possession of data.'' The Lottery Commission said there was no indication that the information had been shared with others. © Copyright 2009, kccu-fm