A Black Lives Matter-endorsed Democrat politician has been jailed for stealing money from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and blowing it in casinos.
On Wednesday, former Louisiana Democratic Party chair Karen Carter Peterson was sentenced to 22 months in prison after being convicted of fraud charges.
Peterson, a former state senator, abruptly resigned in April and was charged a month later with wire fraud.
She admitted to the charges at the time and blamed the crimes on her gambling addiction.
She pled guilty to funneling $140,000 of campaign and party funds to individuals and companies who would cash the checks and give the funds to Peterson.
In July, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said that Peterson filed “false and misleading” campaign finance reports to cover her tracks.
In a post on Twitter, Peterson responded to the DOJ statement by claiming she was addicted to gambling.
“Today marks an important step in my life-long recovery as I continue to address my gambling addiction,” tweeted Peterson.
“I sincerely apologize for the impact from my compulsive behavior resulting from this addiction.”
Today marks an important step in my life-long recovery as I continue to address my gambling addiction. I sincerely apologize for the impact from my compulsive behavior resulting from this addiction. (1 of 2)#gamblingrecovery #makingamends
— KarenCarterPeterson (@TeamKCP) July 14, 2022
“I have made full repayment of funds used as a result of my addiction and I will continue to make amends,” she added.
“Staying true to the steps of my ongoing recovery, I have been forthright, honest, and fully cooperative with the US Attorneys’ Office in their investigation.”
Fox News reported that Peterson was the only federal politician to be endorsed by Black Lives Matter since January 2021.
According to federal records, the Black Lives Matter PAC dumped $100,000 into independent efforts to help Peterson’s campaign for Louisiana’s Second Congressional District.
That campaign failed to put her into office.
U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance ordered Peterson to report to federal prison on March 6.
