The New Mexico Lottery's board of directors has voted to terminate the contract of chief executive officer Tom Romero, effective immediately.
Romero had been the lottery's executive vice president of security since its inception in 1996 and CEO since November 2006.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the seven-member, governor-appointed Lottery Authority Board voted unanimously to terminate Romero's contract Wednesday.
No reason was immediately given for the move and board members declined to discuss the termination after the special session.
In a statement, the board thanked Romero for his many years of "devoted service to the lottery."
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