Before there was the controversy surrounding the Department of Parks and Recreation projects, there was the scandal around the city’s lottery contract, including allegations of favoritism, interference and intimidation by Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi, D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray and others.

The lottery storm kicked up in 2008. But the ugly affair seemed resolved with the award last year of a new contract. Then, last week, Eric W. Payne, a former director of contracting for the CFO, filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit alleging violations of the Whistle Blower Act and the False Claims Act, along with constitutional defamation and wrongful termination.