NEW ORLEANS — A former state senator from New Orleans is expected to report to prison to serve her sentence after being convicted of wire fraud in January.
Karen Carter Peterson will be serving 22 months in prison when she reports to prison on Monday.
The conviction came after she plead guilty to wire fraud in a scheme to divert more than $94,000 in campaign funds for personal use, including casino gambling. Prosecutors said she also stole another $53,000 from Louisiana Democratic Party funds for personal use and to support her admitted gambling habit.
Last year, Peterson stepped down as a state lawmaker, citing her serious gambling addiction.
In January, a federal judge sentenced her to 22 months in prison. Prior to her conviction and disbarment, she served in the state legislature for nearly 22 years and chaired the state party from 2012 until 2020.
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