Indiana court upholds lottery secrecy law

INDIANA – As reported by the Indianapolis Star: "The Indiana Court of Appeals today upheld the constitutionality of a state lottery secrecy law that sets a penalty of up to 50 years in prison for violators.

"The case was brought by William C. Foreman, a former Hoosier Lottery security official who is facing charges in Marion Superior Court including disclosure of confidential information relating to the lottery, a Class A felony.

"Foreman appealed a February 2006 ruling by Judge Grant Hawkins denying his motion to dismiss that charge. His attorney, Jack Crawford -- himself a former Hoosier Lottery director -- argues the stiff penalty violates the Indiana Constitution because it is disproprotionate to the offense. It carries a sentence of 20 to 50 years in prison.

"The three-judge appeals panel unanimously rejected Crawford's argument…"