Gerald
02-15-13, 09:06 PM
A former mayor of San Diego has agreed to repay millions of dollars pilfered from her late husband's charity to fuel a gambling addiction, prosecutors say.
Maureen O'Connor, 66, mayor from 1986-92, struck a deal with prosecutors to pay $2m (£1.3m) in restitution and to settle tax liability.
She must also receive treatment for her gambling addiction, prosecutors say.
If she meets the conditions of the deal, prosecutors say they will drop a criminal case against her in two years.
Federal prosecutors said Ms O'Connor suffered a range of health problems following the removal of a brain tumour in 2011, and all parties agreed she would not be well enough to stand trial.
"However, no figure, regardless of how much good they've done or how much they've given to charity, can escape criminal liability with impunity," US Attorney Laura Duffy said.
'$1bn won and lost'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21468801
Compulsive gambling, becomes health problems.
Note: 15 February 2013 Last updated at 03:23 GMT
Maureen O'Connor, 66, mayor from 1986-92, struck a deal with prosecutors to pay $2m (£1.3m) in restitution and to settle tax liability.
She must also receive treatment for her gambling addiction, prosecutors say.
If she meets the conditions of the deal, prosecutors say they will drop a criminal case against her in two years.
Federal prosecutors said Ms O'Connor suffered a range of health problems following the removal of a brain tumour in 2011, and all parties agreed she would not be well enough to stand trial.
"However, no figure, regardless of how much good they've done or how much they've given to charity, can escape criminal liability with impunity," US Attorney Laura Duffy said.
'$1bn won and lost'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21468801
Compulsive gambling, becomes health problems.
Note: 15 February 2013 Last updated at 03:23 GMT